Multi-fold mobile device with configurable interface

ABSTRACT

A multi-fold mobile device with a configurable interface is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a method includes detecting a hardware configuration change from a first configuration to a second configuration at an electronic device that includes at least a first panel having a first display surface and a second panel having a second display surface. The hardware configuration change includes a change in a relative orientation of the first display panel to the second display panel. The method also includes automatically modifying a graphical user interface displayed at the first display surface and the second display surface at least partially based on the second configuration.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present disclosure claims the benefit of Provisional Application No.61/095,225, filed Sep. 8, 2008, which is incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety and to which priority is claimed.

FIELD

The present disclosure is generally related to a multi-panel electronicdevice.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

Advances in technology have resulted in smaller and more powerfulcomputing devices. For example, there currently exist a variety ofportable personal computing devices, including wireless computingdevices, such as portable wireless telephones, personal digitalassistants (PDAs), and paging devices that are small, lightweight, andeasily carried by users. More specifically, portable wirelesstelephones, such as cellular telephones and internet protocol (IP)telephones, can communicate voice and data packets over wirelessnetworks. Further, many such portable wireless telephones include othertypes of devices that are incorporated therein. For example, a portablewireless telephone can also include a digital still camera, a digitalvideo camera, a digital recorder, and an audio file player. Also, suchwireless telephones can process executable instructions, includingsoftware applications, such as a web browser application, that can beused to access the Internet. As such, these portable wireless telephonescan include significant computing capabilities.

Although such portable devices may support software applications, theusefulness of such portable devices is limited by a size of a displayscreen of the device. Generally, smaller display screens enable devicesto have smaller form factors for easier portability and convenience.However, smaller display screens limit an amount of content that can bedisplayed to a user and may therefore reduce a richness of the user'sinteractions with the portable device.

SUMMARY

A multi-fold mobile device with a configurable interface is disclosed.When fully extended, the device may provide a panorama view, similar towidescreen televisions. When fully folded, the device may provide asmall form factor with an abbreviated view similar to cellulartelephones. In addition, the user interface (UI) displayed on the devicemay change based on the folding configuration of the device. Thus, basedon a current folding configuration of the device, the UI may be apanorama UI, a desktop UI, an application UI, a web browser UI, an alarmclock UI, a media player UI, or some other UI.

In a particular embodiment, a method is disclosed that includesdetecting a hardware configuration change from a first configuration toa second configuration at an electronic device. The electronic deviceincludes at least a first panel having a first display surface and asecond panel having a second display surface. The hardware configurationchange includes a change in a relative orientation of the first displaypanel to the second display panel. The method also includesautomatically modifying a graphical user interface displayed at thefirst display surface and the second display surface at least partiallybased on the second configuration.

In another particular embodiment, an electronic device is disclosed. Theelectronic device includes a first panel having a first display surfaceand a first back surface, a second panel having a second display surfaceand a second back surface, and a third panel having a third displaysurface and a third back surface. The first panel is rotatably coupledto a first edge of the second panel and the third panel is rotatablycoupled to a second edge of the second panel. The electronic device alsoincludes a folding configuration sensor configured to detect aconfiguration of the first panel, the second panel, and the third panel.The electronic device further includes a processor configured to executeat least one software application having a graphical user interface. Theprocessor is responsive to the folding configuration sensor to modifythe graphical user interface based on the detected configuration.

In another particular embodiment, an apparatus is disclosed thatincludes means for detecting a hardware configuration change from afirst configuration to a second configuration at an electronic device.The electronic device includes at least a first panel having a firstdisplay surface and a second panel having a second display surface. Thehardware configuration change includes a change in a relativeorientation of the first display panel to the second display panel. Theapparatus also includes means for automatically modifying a graphicaluser interface displayed at the first display surface and the seconddisplay surface at least partially based on the second configuration.

One particular advantage provided by at least one of the disclosedembodiments is an intuitive operation of a multi-panel electronic devicein which a user can change the electronic device's physicalconfiguration based on the user's preference, and the electronic deviceautomatically adjusts operation in response to detecting the change inphysical configuration. Another particular advantage is that a portableelectronic device may be configured to have a larger screen size or maybe configured to have a small form factor for convenience andportability.

Other aspects, advantages, and features of the present disclosure willbecome apparent after review of the entire application, including thefollowing sections: Brief Description of the Drawings, DetailedDescription, and the Claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a first illustrative embodiment of an electronicdevice;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an illustrative embodiment of the electronicdevice of FIG. 1 in a fully folded configuration;

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an illustrative embodiment of the electronicdevice of FIG. 1 in a thumbing configuration;

FIG. 4 is a diagram of an illustrative embodiment of the electronicdevice of FIG. 1 in a travel clock configuration;

FIG. 5 is a diagram of a first illustrative embodiment of the electronicdevice of FIG. 1 in a fully extended configuration;

FIG. 6 is a diagram of a second illustrative embodiment of theelectronic device of FIG. 1 in a fully extended configuration;

FIG. 7 is a diagram of an illustrative embodiment of the electronicdevice of FIG. 1 in a video conferencing configuration;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a second illustrative embodiment of anelectronic device;

FIG. 9 is a diagram of a third illustrative embodiment of an electronicdevice;

FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional diagram of the electronic device ofFIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a diagram of an illustrative embodiment of the electronicdevice of FIG. 9 in an angled configuration;

FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional diagram of the electronic device inthe angled configuration of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a diagram of an illustrative embodiment of the electronicdevice of FIG. 9 in a folded configuration;

FIG. 14 is a partial cross-sectional diagram of the electronic device inthe folded configuration of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a diagram of a fourth illustrative embodiment of anelectronic device;

FIG. 16 is a diagram of the electronic device of FIG. 15 in a travelclock configuration;

FIG. 17 is a diagram of the electronic device of FIG. 16 in a fullyextended configuration;

FIG. 18 is a diagram of a fifth illustrative embodiment of an electronicdevice;

FIG. 19 is a diagram of the electronic device of FIG. 18 in a travelclock configuration;

FIG. 20 is a diagram of the electronic device of FIG. 18 in a fullyextended configuration;

FIG. 21 is a diagram of a sixth illustrative embodiment of an electronicdevice;

FIG. 22 is a diagram of a seventh illustrative embodiment of anelectronic device;

FIG. 23 is a diagram of the electronic device of FIG. 22 in a partiallyfolded configuration;

FIG. 24 is a diagram of an eighth illustrative embodiment of anelectronic device;

FIG. 25 is a diagram of the electronic device of FIG. 24 in an assembledconfiguration;

FIG. 26 is a flowchart of a first illustrative embodiment of a method ofchanging software states at a multi-panel electronic device;

FIG. 27 is a diagram of a ninth illustrative embodiment of an electronicdevice;

FIG. 28 is a diagram of an illustrative embodiment of the electronicdevice of FIG. 27 in a thumbing configuration;

FIG. 29 is a diagram of an illustrative embodiment of the electronicdevice of FIG. 27 in a fully extended configuration;

FIG. 30 is a diagram of an illustrative embodiment of the electronicdevice of FIG. 27 in a travel clock configuration;

FIG. 31 is a diagram of an illustrative embodiment of the electronicdevice of FIG. 27 in a video conferencing configuration;

FIG. 32 is a diagram of a tenth illustrative embodiment of an electronicdevice;

FIG. 33 is a diagram of an illustrative embodiment of the electronicdevice of FIG. 32 in a fully extended configuration;

FIG. 34 is a diagram of an illustrative embodiment of the electronicdevice in the fully extended configuration of FIG. 33 showing movementof an application icon in response to a user input;

FIG. 35 is a diagram of an illustrative embodiment of the electronicdevice in the fully extended configuration of FIG. 33 displaying anapplication window;

FIG. 36 is a diagram of an illustrative embodiment of the electronicdevice in the fully extended configuration of FIG. 33 showing movementof an application window in response to a user input;

FIG. 37 is a diagram of an illustrative embodiment of the electronicdevice of FIG. 36 after a predetermined portion of the applicationwindow crosses a gap between display surfaces;

FIG. 38 is a diagram of a eleventh illustrative embodiment of anelectronic device;

FIG. 39 is a diagram of an illustrative embodiment of the electronicdevice of FIG. 38 in a landscape orientation;

FIG. 40 is a diagram of an illustrative embodiment of the electronicdevice of FIG. 38 in a rotated orientation;

FIG. 41 is a diagram of an illustrative embodiment of the electronicdevice of FIG. 38 in a portrait orientation;

FIG. 42 is a flowchart of a second illustrative embodiment of a methodof changing software states at a multi-panel electronic device;

FIG. 43 is a flowchart of a third illustrative embodiment of a method ofchanging software states at a multi-panel electronic device;

FIG. 44 is a flowchart of a fourth illustrative embodiment of a methodof changing software states at a multi-panel electronic device;

FIG. 45 is a flowchart of a fifth illustrative embodiment of a method ofchanging software states at a multi-panel electronic device;

FIG. 46 is a flowchart of a sixth illustrative embodiment of a method ofchanging software states at a multi-panel electronic device;

FIG. 47 is a flowchart of a seventh illustrative embodiment of a methodof changing software states at a multi-panel electronic device;

FIG. 48 is a flowchart of an eighth illustrative embodiment of a methodof changing software states at a multi-panel electronic device;

FIG. 49 is a diagram of a twelfth illustrative embodiment of anelectronic device;

FIG. 50 is a diagram of an illustrative embodiment of the electronicdevice of FIG. 49 in a fully extended configuration;

FIG. 51 is a diagram of an illustrative embodiment of the electronicdevice of FIG. 49 in a folded configuration;

FIG. 52 is a diagram of an illustrative embodiment of the electronicdevice of FIG. 49 in a thumbing configuration;

FIG. 53 is a diagram of an illustrative embodiment of the electronicdevice of FIG. 49 in a video conferencing configuration;

FIG. 54 is a diagram of an illustrative embodiment of the electronicdevice of FIG. 49 in a travel clock configuration;

FIG. 55 is a diagram of an illustrative embodiment of the electronicdevice of FIG. 49 in a dual-panel configuration;

FIG. 56 is a flowchart of a first illustrative embodiment of a method ofdetermining a configuration of an electronic device;

FIG. 57 is a flowchart of a second illustrative embodiment of a methodof determining a configuration of an electronic device;

FIG. 58 is a flowchart of a third illustrative embodiment of a method ofdetermining a configuration of an electronic device; and

FIG. 59 is a block diagram of a thirteenth illustrative embodiment of anelectronic device.

FIG. 60 is a diagram of a fourteenth illustrative embodiment of anelectronic device;

FIG. 61 is a diagram of an illustrative embodiment of displaying animage at the electronic device of FIG. 60;

FIG. 62 is a diagram of a second illustrative embodiment of displayingan image at the electronic device of FIG. 60;

FIG. 63 is a diagram of a third illustrative embodiment of displaying animage at the electronic device of FIG. 60;

FIG. 64 is a diagram of a first illustrative embodiment of displaying animage at a three-panel version of the electronic device of FIG. 60;

FIG. 65 is a diagram of a second illustrative embodiment of displayingan image at a three-panel version of the electronic device of FIG. 60;

FIG. 66 is a diagram of a third illustrative embodiment of displaying animage at a three-panel version of the electronic device of FIG. 60;

FIG. 67 is a flowchart of a first illustrative embodiment of a method ofdisplaying an image at an electronic device;

FIG. 68 is a flowchart of a second illustrative embodiment of a methodof displaying an image at an electronic device; and

FIG. 69 is a flowchart of a third illustrative embodiment of a method ofdisplaying an image at an electronic device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a first illustrated embodiment of an electronicdevice is depicted and generally designated 100. The electronic device101 includes a first panel 102, a second panel 104, and a third panel106. The first panel 102 is coupled to the second panel 104 along afirst edge at a first fold location 110. The second panel 104 is coupledto the third panel 106 along a second edge of the second panel 104, at asecond fold location 112. Each of the panels 102, 104, and 106 includesa display surface configured to provide a visual display, such as aliquid crystal display (LCD) screen. The electronic device 101 is awireless communication device having multiple display surfaces andconfigured to automatically adjust a user interface or to display imageswhen a user changes a physical configuration of the electronic device101.

As depicted in FIG. 1 the first panel 102 and the second panel 104 arerotatably coupled at the first fold location 110 to enable a variety ofdevice configurations. For example, the first panel 102 and the secondpanel 104 may be positioned such that the display surfaces aresubstantially coplanar to form a substantially flat surface. As anotherexample, the first panel 102 and the second panel 104 may be rotatedrelative to each other around the first fold location 110 until a backsurface of the first panel 102 contacts a back surface of the secondpanel 104. Likewise, the second panel 104 is rotatably coupled to thethird panel 106 along the second fold location 112, enabling a varietyof configurations including a fully folded, closed configuration wherethe display surface of the second panel 104 contacts the display surfaceof the third panel 106 and a fully extended configuration where thesecond panel 104 and the third panel 106 are substantially coplanar.

In a particular embodiment, the first panel 102, the second panel 104,and the third panel 106 may be manually configured into one or morephysical folded states, as will be described with respect to FIGS. 2-7.By enabling the electronic device 101 to be positioned in multiplefoldable configurations, a user of the electronic device 101 may electto have a small form factor for easy maneuverability and functionalityor may elect an expanded, larger form factor for displaying rich contentand to enable more significant interaction with one or more softwareapplications via expanded user interfaces.

In a particular embodiment, the electronic device 101 includes multiplefolding display panels 102, 104, and 106. When fully extended, theelectronic device 101 can provide a panorama view similar to a widescreen television. When fully folded to a closed position, theelectronic device 101 can provide a small form factor and still providean abbreviated view similar to a cell phone. In general, the multipleconfigurable displays 102, 104, and 106 may enable the electronic device101 to be used as multiple types of devices depending on how theelectronic device 101 is folded or configured.

Referring to FIG. 2, a second embodiment of the electronic device 101 ofFIG. 1 in a fully folded configuration is depicted and generallydesignated 200. The first panel 102 is depicted on an upper surface ofthe electronic device 101. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the display surfaceof the first panel 102 is visible, and the first fold location 110between the first panel 102 and the second panel 104 is fully folded,such that the back surface of the first panel 102 is in contact with theback surface of the second panel 104. The third panel 106 is fullyfolded against the second panel 104 along the second fold location 112.The second panel 104 is configured such that the second display surfaceis substantially proximate to the display surface of the third panel 106within the fully folded configuration. As illustrated in FIG. 2, theelectronic device 101 has a substantially rectangular shape or formfactor including three stacked layers (i.e., the first panel 102, thesecond panel 104, and the third panel 106). The display surfaces of thesecond panel 104 and the third panel 106 are substantially protectedfrom damage from external sources within the fully folded configuration200 of FIG. 2. Although the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2 illustrates aparticular embodiment of the electronic device 101, next to a UnitedStates Quarter and a pencil for size comparison purposes it should beclearly understood that FIG. 2, as well as all other figures of thepresent application, are not necessarily to scale, and should not beinterpreted as limiting the scope of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 3, the electronic device 101 of FIG. 1 in a “thumbing”configuration is depicted and generally designated 300. The first panel102 and the second panel 104 are coupled at the first fold location 110in a substantially coplanar configuration. The second panel 104 and thethird panel 106 are offset relative to one another, along the secondfold location 112. In a particular embodiment, an angle 318 of rotationfrom the display surface of the third panel 106 to the display surfaceof the second panel 104 is an angle greater than 90 degrees and lessthan 180 degrees. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the angle 318formed between the second panel 104 and the third panel 106 may besubstantially 135 degrees.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, a back surface 314 of the first panel 106 mayrest on a support surface, such as a table surface, desk surface, auser's hand, or the like. In a particular embodiment, the third panel106 may be weighted such that in the particular configuration depictedin FIG. 3, the electronic device 101 may be stable when maintained inthe thumbing configuration 300 on a surface. As illustrated, in thethumbing configuration 300, the third panel 106 may display a keyboard316, while the first and second panels 102, 104 may display one or moreportions of the graphical user interface, such that a user may have asubstantially horizontal keyboard 316, and a conveniently angled andlocated effective 2-panel display surface formed of the display surfaceof the first panel 102 and the display surface of the second panel 104.In a particular embodiment, the electronic device 101 may be held in thethumbing configuration 300 by a user such that the keyboard 316 can beactuated by one or more of the user's thumbs.

Referring to FIG. 4, the electronic device 101 of FIG. 1 in a travelclock configuration is depicted and generally designated 400. The firstpanel 102 is folded with respect to the second panel 104 along the firstfold location 110, at an angle 420 that is less than 180 degrees, andgreater than 0 degrees. For example, the angle 420 formed by the firstpanel 102 and the second panel 104 may be substantially 60 degrees. Thesecond panel 104 is oriented with respect to the third panel 106 alongthe second fold location 112 at an angle 422 that is greater than 90degrees and less than 180 degrees. As illustrated, the angle 422 alongthe second fold location 112 may be approximately 135 degrees.

In a particular embodiment, the travel clock configuration 400 includesa display of clock indicia 418, such as a digital clock indicia oranalog clock indicia, at the display surface of the second panel 104.For example, the clock indicia 418 may be an image of a clock face. In aparticular embodiment, the display surface of the first panel 102 may bein a powered down configuration, while the display surface 106 of thethird panel 106 may display one or more controls typical of a travelclock, such as an alarm set control, a volume control, a radio stationtuning control, or other controls (not shown).

FIG. 5 depicts the electronic device 101 of FIG. 1 in a fully extendedconfiguration 500. The first panel 102 and the second panel 104 aresubstantially coplanar, and the second panel 104 is substantiallycoplanar with the third panel 106. The panels 102, 104, and 106 may bein contact at the first fold location 110 and the second fold location112 such that the display surfaces of the first panel 102, the secondpanel 104, and the third panel 106 effectively form an extended,three-panel display screen. As illustrated, in the fully extendedconfiguration 500, each of the display surfaces displays a portion of alarger image, with each individual display surface displaying a portionof the larger image in a portrait mode, and the larger image extendingacross the effective three-panel screen in a landscape mode. In aparticular embodiment, the panels 102, 104, and 106 may be lockable tobe substantially maintained in the fully extended configuration 500.

FIG. 6 depicts the electronic device 101 of FIG. 1 in a fully extendedconfiguration 600 having a reduced effective display surface on thefirst panel 102, the second panel 104, and the third panel 106 ascompared to FIG. 5. Like FIG. 5, the panels 102, 104, and 106 aresubstantially extended, and may be locked into position. However, asillustrated in FIG. 6, an upper and lower surface portion of theportrait mode of each of the panels 102, 104, and 106 may not includethe display surface and may instead include one or more hardwarefeatures, such as a hinge, microphone, speaker or other hardwarefeatures (not shown).

FIG. 7 shows the electronic device 101 of FIG. 1 in a video conferencingconfiguration 700. The first panel 102 is coupled to the second panel104 at the first fold location 110 to be substantially coplanar with thesecond panel 104. The second panel 104 and third panel 106 are coupledin a folded configuration along the second fold location 112 such thatthe display surfaces of the second panel 104 and the third panel 106 aresubstantially proximate to each other, and protected within the interiorof the folded configuration. By having the third panel 106 folded overthe second panel 104, a back surface 108 of the third panel 106,including a camera 720, is exposed to a user of the electronic device101. A bottom edge of the third panel 106 includes a microphone 722 anda speaker 724. Although depicted on the bottom edge of the third panel106, it should be clearly understood that the microphone 722 and thespeaker 724 may be located at other positions on the electronic device101. For example, as will be illustrated with respect to FIG. 32, themicrophone 722 may be located at a top of the display surface of thefirst panel 102, and the speaker 724 may be located at a bottom locationof the display surface of the first panel 102. The video conferencingconfiguration 700 enables a user of the electronic device 101 to view animage on the display surface of the first panel 102 of a participant inthe video conferencing call, and to simultaneously be located in a fieldof view of the camera 720, to capture an image of the user and toprovide the captured image of the user to one or more participants ofthe video conference.

In a particular embodiment, the electronic device 101 of FIGS. 1-7 usesthree separate touch screen displays 102, 104, and 106, that areconnected mechanically and capable of folding, that can be usedindividually or together. This enables multiple user interfaces that canbe changed based on the shape or configuration of the electronic device101. The multiple configurable user interfaces allow the electronicdevice 101 to be used as multiple types of devices depending on how theelectronic device 101 is folded or configured. When using the electronicdevice 101 a user could start by interacting with a single screen(device completely folded), then have the interface change automatically(based on application or setting) when the electronic device 101 isfolded to a different physical configuration. The electronic device 101may be configured to execute concurrent applications on multiplescreens, and to reconfigure applications based on user interactionchanging the device configuration. For example, the electronic device101 may be configured to execute an application at a single display 102,104, or 106, in one physical configuration, and to execute theapplication across all three displays 102, 104, and 106 in a differentphysical configuration.

For example, when the electronic device 101 is fully folded to theclosed position (one screen displayed, such as the fully foldedconfiguration 200 of FIG. 2), the electronic device 101 retains a smallform factor and could provide an abbreviated user interface view. Basedon user interaction this fully folded configuration could displayapplications, such as a phone, short-message-service (SMS), a personaldigital assistant (PDA) type browser application, a keypad, menus, otherinterface elements, or any combination thereof.

When fully extended (all screens displayed, such as the fully extendedconfiguration 500 of FIG. 5 or 600 of FIG. 6), the electronic device 101may provide a panorama view. Based on the user's application of choice,the panorama view could automatically display interfaces similar towide-screen video, a desktop environment with applications (e.g. email,text editor), or a web browser, with or without keyboard, asillustrative, non-limiting examples. The interactions for theseinterfaces could be similar to their native format instead of confinedto a mobile phone-type interaction.

When displays are folded in a triangular shape (one part of the triangleis a display facing backward, the other part of the triangle a displayfacing forward, the final folded under or flat in front, such as thetravel clock configuration 400 of FIG. 4) the configuration couldautomatically trigger the display of a directional user interface. Inother words, the front display(s) may show a device interface for theparticular configuration, such as a gaming application, email, SMS,phone, alarm clock, digital radio, or music player, as illustrative,non-limiting examples, while the back display, the bottom display, orboth, may be idled or off.

When one outside display is configured at approximately a 45 degreeangle to the other displays (such as the thumbing configuration 300 ofFIG. 3), the electronic device 101 could automatically change theinterface. For example, the interface could be a text entry device. The45 degree display may show a keyboard while the others displayed a textentry application, a non-PDA-type browser, or other desktop-likeapplication.

Thus, the electronic device 101 may have the ability to automaticallychange the user interface and interaction method based on a mechanicaltrigger, sensor information, or the like. The electronic device 101 mayprovide the advantage of anticipating the user's expectations for thedevice without the user having to browse multiple menus. When theelectronic device 101 is fully extended it may be larger than currentmobile device interfaces, thus overcoming a drawback of conventionalmobile devices of insufficient screen area. A user of the electronicdevice 101 can change the application interfaces to more closely matchtheir needs and preferences at the time of use. Difficulties that may beencountered by users of conventional mobile devices using complicateddesktop-like interfaces, like text editors or browsers, may be relievedby the electronic device 101 enabling the interface to spread acrossmultiple displays.

Referring to FIG. 8, a particular illustrative embodiment of anelectronic device is depicted and generally designated 800. The device800 includes a main board 801 coupled to a first display board 803 andto second display board 805 via set of connections 890 across a hinge(not shown). Each of the boards 801, 803, and 805 may be in separatepanels of a multi-panel hinged device, such as the electronic device 101of FIGS. 1-7.

The main board 801 includes a display 802, a processor 810 coupled to amemory 832, a display controller 862 a touchscreen controller 852, awireless controller 840, a short range wireless interface 846, acoder/decoder (CODEC) 834, and a power management integrated circuit(PMIC) 880. The first display board 803 includes a display 804 coupledto a display controller 864, a touchscreen controller 854, and one ormore folding configuration/tilt sensors 874. The second display board805 includes a display 806 coupled to a display controller 866, atouchscreen controller 856, and one or more folding configuration/tiltsensors 876. The first display board 803 is coupled to the main board801 via a first communication path, such as a first high-speed seriallink 892. The second display board 805 is coupled to the main board 801via a second communication path, such as a second high-speed serial link894. The first display board 803 and the second display board 805 eachhave a battery 884 and 886 that is coupled to the PMIC 880 via a powerline 896, which may be able to conduct at least 1.5 amps (A) between thePMIC 880 and the batteries 884 and 886. In a particular embodiment, acamera 820 and a power input 882 are also coupled to the main board 801.

The processor 810 may include one or more processing devices, such asone or more ARM-type processors, one or more digital signal processors(DSPs), other processors, or any combination thereof. The processor 810can access one or more computer readable media, such as therepresentative memory 832. The memory 832 stores data (not shown) andprocessor executable instructions such as software 833. Generally, thesoftware 833 includes processor executable instructions that areexecutable by the processor 810, and may include application software,operating system software, other types of program instructions, or anycombination thereof. Although the memory 832 is depicted as external tothe processor 810, in other embodiments the memory 832 may be internalto the processor 810 such as at a cache, at one or more registers orregister files, at other storage devices at the processor 810, or anycombination thereof.

The processor 810 is also coupled to folding configuration sensors, suchas the folding configuration and tilt sensors 874 and 876 at the firstdisplay panel 803 and the second display panel 805, respectively. In anillustrative example, the device 800 may be the electronic device 101 ofFIG. 1, and the sensors 874 and 876 may adapted to detect a foldingconfiguration of the device 800 as one or more of the fully foldedconfiguration illustrated in FIG. 2, the thumbing configurationillustrated in FIG. 3, the travel clock configuration illustrated inFIG. 4, the fully extended configurations illustrated in FIG. 5-6, orthe video conferencing configuration illustrated in FIG. 7.

The display controllers 862, 864, and 866 are configured to control thedisplays 802, 804, and 806. In a particular embodiment, the displays802, 804, and 806 may correspond to the display surfaces 102, 104, and106 illustrated in FIGS. 1-7. The display controllers 862, 864, and 866may be configured to be responsive to the processor 810 to providegraphical data to display at the displays 802, 804, and 806 according toa configuration of the device 800. For example, when the device 800 isin a fully folded configuration, the display controllers 862, 864, and866 may control the first display 802 to display a graphical userinterface and may power down or not use the other displays 804 and 806.As another example, when the device 800 is in a fully extendedconfiguration, the display controllers 862, 864, and 866 may control thedisplays 802, 804, and 806 to each display a respective portion of animage to operate as a single effective screen spanning all threedisplays 802, 804, and 806.

In a particular embodiment, each of the displays 802, 804, and 806 isresponsive to user input via a respective touchscreen that is coupled toa touchscreen controller 852, 854, or 856, respectively. The touchscreencontrollers 852, 854, and 856 are configured to receive signals from thedisplays 802, 804, and 806 representing a user input and to provide datato the processor 810 indicating the user input. For example, theprocessor 810 may be responsive to a user input indicating a double-tapat an application icon on the first display 802 and may launch anapplication and display an application window at one or more of thedisplays 802, 804, or 806 in response to the user input.

In a particular embodiment, by having each display controller 862, 864,and 866 and each touchscreen controller 852, 854, and 856 with acorresponding display 802, 804, and 806, an amount of data communicatedbetween the panels may be reduced compared to other embodiments having acontroller and a corresponding display on separate panels. However, inother embodiments, two or more of the display controllers 862, 864, or866, or touchscreen controllers 853, 854, or 856, may be combined, suchas into a single controller that controls all three displays 802, 804,and 806. Additionally, although three displays 802, 804, and 806 areillustrated, in other embodiments the device 800 may include more orless than three displays.

The high-speed serial links 892 and 894 may be high speed bi-directionserial links. For example the links 892 and 894 may be Mobile DisplayDigital Interface (MDDI)-type links. Touchscreen data and sensor datamay be embedded in the serial stream to return to the processor 810 fromthe panels 803 and 805, so that only four differential pairs may be usedfor signaling across the respective hinges between the panels 801, 803,and 805.

In a particular embodiment, the sensors 874 and 876 may be adapteddetect a folding configuration of the device 800 based on input receivedat one or more sensors. For example, one or more of the sensors 874 and876 may include or receive input from one or more accelerometers,inclinometers, hinge detectors, other detectors, or any combinationthereof. The sensors 874 and 876 may provide information to theprocessor 810 indicating a detected folding configuration of the device800. The sensors 874 and 876 may be responsive to a relative foldingposition, such as by detecting an angle of rotation of a display panelrelative to a neighboring display panel of the device 800. The sensors874 and 876 may also be responsive to one or more other sensors such asone or more accelerometers or inclinometers coupled to one or moredisplay panels of the device 800.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, a coder/decoder (CODEC) 834 can also becoupled to the processor 810. A speaker 822 and a microphone 824 can becoupled to the CODEC 834. FIG. 8 also indicates that a wirelesscontroller 840 can be coupled to the processor 810 and to a wirelessantenna 842, and can enable the device 800 to communicate via a wirelessnetwork such as a wide area network (WAN). The processor 810 may beresponsive to the wireless controller 840 to display call indicia, suchas a caller identification or a caller number, at one or more of thedisplays 802, 804, and 806 when the device 800 receives an incomingcall. The processor 810 may determine a size, position, and orientation,as well as a particular display 802, 804, and 806, to display the callindicia at least partially based on the folding configuration of thedevice 800 that is determined based on input from the sensors 874 and876. For example the call indicia may be displayed as a pop-up window ortext over one or more other applications having a size, location, andorientation based on the folding configuration.

In a particular embodiment, the device 800 is configured to be operablefor wireless telephonic communications in all folding configurations. Ina particular embodiment, the processor 810 is coupled to a short-rangewireless interface 846 that may be coupled to a headset 850 via anantenna 848. The short-range wireless interface 846 may be wirelesslycoupled to the headset 850, such as a device including an earpiece and amicrophone, via an ad-hoc wireless network, such as a Bluetooth network.The processor 810 may implement logic to determine whether to displaythe call indicia or to alert the headset 850 in response to an incomingcall. For example, the processor 810 may automatically alert the headset850 when the device 800 is in a fully expanded configuration and amultimedia file or streaming media is displayed across all displays 802,804, and 806, and may display the call indicia otherwise.

In a particular embodiment, one or more components of FIG. 8 may belocated proximate to or within one or more of the device panels. Forexample, the processor 810 may be located within the center panel andthe outer panels may each store a battery 884 and 886. In a particularembodiment, the panels may be weighted in a manner to enable the deviceto remain upright in a thumbing configuration.

Referring to FIG. 9, a particular illustrative embodiment of anelectronic device is depicted and generally designated 900. The device900 includes a first panel 902 and a second panel 904. The first panel902 and the second panel 904 are coupled via a recessed hinge 905, neara top edge and a bottom edge of the panels 902 and 904. In a particularembodiment, the electronic device 900 can be manipulated by a user intoa variety of configurations for use, and may automatically adjust asoftware configuration or displayed image in response to a configurationchange. In an illustrated embodiment, the electronic device 900 is atwo-panel embodiment of the electronic device 101 of FIG. 1, theelectronic device 800 of FIG. 8, or any combination thereof. In aparticular embodiment, the recessed hinge 905 includes a coupling member906. FIG. 9 includes an enlarged view of the recessed hinge 905, showingthe coupling member 906 substantially flush with the surfaces of thefirst panel 902 and the second panel 904, and visible through a firstaperture 1040 defined by the first panel and the second aperture 1044defined by the second panel 904.

The folding display panels 902 and 904, when fully extended, may providea panorama view similar to a wide screen television, and when fullyfolded to a closed position may provide a small form-factor and stillprovide an abbreviated view similar to a conventional cellular phone. Asmall hinge, such as the recessed hinge 905, that provides more complexmotion, including translation and rotation, could be used to reduce thedisplay panel gap and create a more continuous tiling and may be used inone or more designs with a multitude of displays or panels.

FIG. 10 illustrates a side partial cross sectional view of the device900 of FIG. 9. The first panel 902 defines the first aperture 1040 whichis in communication with a first cavity 1042 within the first panel 902.The second panel 904 defines the second aperture 1044 which is incommunication with a second cavity 1046 in the second panel 904. Thecoupling member 906 is coupled to a first pivot member, such as a firstpin 1010, and to a second pivot member, such as a second pin 1008. Thefirst pin 1010 and the second pin 1008 enable the first panel 902 to berotatably coupled to the coupling member 906; and the second pin 1008enables the second panel 904 to be rotatably coupled to the couplingmember 906. As a result, the first panel 902 and the second panel 904are rotatably coupled to each other. Further, the apertures 1040 and1044 defined in the first panel 902 and the second panel 904,respectively, are formed to enable the coupling member 906 to beinserted therein, and to enable a range of rotational motion of each ofthe panels 902 and 904 with respect to the coupling member 906. Inaddition, the first pin 1010 is engaged within a slot 1012 within thefirst cavity 1042 to enable a lateral movement of the first panel 902relative to the second panel 904, such that the first panel 902 has arange of motion relative to the second panel 904 when the recessed hinge905 is in an extended configuration, with the first pin 1010 at a firstend of the slot 1012. Furthermore, the first panel 902 has a secondrange of motion relative to the second panel 904 when the recessed hinge905 is in a retracted configuration with the first pin 1010 at a secondend of the slot 1012, where the first range of motion is larger than thesecond range of motion. As will be discussed with respect to FIGS.15-20, a sensor may be coupled to the recessed hinge 905 to detect arelative orientation of the first panel 902 to the second panel 904.

As illustrated, the first aperture 1040 is dimensioned to receive atleast a first portion of the coupling member 906, the first portionincluding the portion of the coupling member 906 coupled to the pin1010. In addition, the second aperture 1044 is dimensioned to receive atleast a second portion of the coupling member 906, the second portionincluding the portion coupled to the second pin 1008. In addition, thefirst cavity 1042 includes an extended recessed component 1014 toreceive coupling member 906 when the first pin 1010 is at an innermostposition within the slot 1012.

FIG. 11 depicts the electronic device 900 of FIG. 9 in an angledconfiguration 1100. The first panel 902 is oriented at an angle withrespect to the second panel 904 via the recessed hinge 905, illustratedas including a coupling member 906. FIG. 1 includes a close-up view of arecessed hinge 905 illustrating the coupling member 906 extendingthrough a different area of the second aperture 1044 of the second panel904 as compared to FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 illustrates the first panel 902 rotatably coupled to the secondpanel 904 via the coupling member 906. The coupling member 906 isrotatably coupled to the first panel 902 via the first pin 1010 engagedin the slot 1012 and rotatably coupled to the second panel 904 via thesecond pin 1008. As illustrated in FIG. 12, the second panel 904 isabutted against the first panel 902, to provide an angle stop 1216. Inthe configuration of FIG. 12, the second panel 904 may be rotated in aninward direction to a position fully folded to lay flat against thesurface of the panel 902, and may be rotated in an outward direction toa predetermined angle 1218 relative to the first panel 902 and preventedfrom further rotational separation via the angle stop 1216. The anglestop 1216 may hold the second panel 904 at the predetermined angle 1218,which is illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 12 as substantially 135degrees relative to the first panel 902.

Referring to FIG. 13, the electronic device 900 depicted in FIG. 9 isillustrated in a fully folded configuration 1300. The fully foldedconfiguration 1300 has the first panel 902 with a first surface, such asa display surface, including a screen, substantially proximate to thesecond panel 904. The recessed hinges 905 are illustrated in a retractedconfiguration to enable the first panel 902 to be located substantiallyproximate to the second panel 904 to reduce a device height in the fullyfolded configuration 1300. An enlarged view of the recessed hinge 905 isillustrated in FIG. 13 showing the coupling member 906 extending throughthe first aperture 1040 of the first panel 902 and the second aperture1044 of the second panel 904.

FIG. 14 illustrates a side partial cross-sectional view of the fullyfolded configuration 1300. As illustrated in FIG. 14, the first panel902 is fully folded against the second panel 904, with the couplingmember 906 completely within the first cavity 1042 of the first panel902 and the second cavity 1046 of the second panel 904. As illustrated,the coupling member 906 has the second pin 1010 engaged in the firstcavity 1042 at one extremity of the slot 1012, enabling the first panel902 and the second panel 904 to be positioned substantially proximate toeach other, and as illustrated, substantially flat against each other.

In a particular embodiment, the recessed hinges 905 may be detented andequipped with sensors so that a multi-fold mobile device can adjustdisplay image orientation and content based on feedback from the hingesensors, as will be discussed more with respect to FIGS. 15-17 and18-20. The hinges may use, for example, pressure sensors, electricalcontacts, Hall sensors, optics, or induction detection to read position,as illustrative, non-limiting examples. Feedback may be received frommore than one hinge location or rotation. The hinges may enable foldingpanels to be set in predetermined positions, and a multi-fold mobiledevice may set a display image orientation and content or user interfaceat least partially based on detecting the folding panels in apredetermined position. For example, hinges may be ball detented, mayhave one or more intermediate positions or stops between fully open andfully closed, may be spring-biased, or may have other configurations toenable folding panels to be held in multiple positions. For example, oneor more hinges may be spring-biased so that panels can be separatedslightly for repositioning and allowed to snap back into a differentconfiguration. In addition, an electronic device may have a first typeof hinges at one fold and a second type of hinges at another fold.

For example, in a particular embodiment a detented hinge may enable thepanels to be placed flat, or in one plane, with a display image activeand viewable in landscape mode. When the multi-fold device is not flat,then the left panel may contain a touch panel keyboard in portraitorientation and the other displays may be combined in portrait mode.When the multi-fold device is closed, the right display may be activeand in portrait orientation with the remaining displays off andinactive. The functional flow could involve the multi-fold device beingset in a particular position, one or more smart hinges reading theposition, and an image or user interface adjusting in response toreading the position. A wide variety of possible configurations for thedisplay image or user interface may be enabled by detented hinges at amulti-fold device, and in a particular embodiment, a small form factordevice may be enabled to expand to be used as a large-screen multimediadevice.

FIG. 15 illustrates a particular illustrative embodiment of athree-panel electronic device in a folded configuration 1500. Thethree-panel device 1501 includes a first panel 1502, a second panel1504, and a third panel 1506. The first panel 1502 is coupled to thesecond panel 1504 via a first hinge 1505, illustrated as a recessedhinge shown with dashed lines. The second panel 1504 is coupled to thethird panel 1506 via a second hinge 1507. The first panel 1502 includesa first sensor 1512, a second sensor 1514, and a third sensor 1516,which may include one or more electrodes, pressure sensors, othersensors, or any combination thereof, which in various configurations maycontact a first end 1508 of the second panel 1504. In addition, thesecond panel 1504 has a second end 1510 that in various configurationsmay contact with a first sensor 1522, a second sensor 1524, and a thirdsensor 1526, or any combination thereof, of the third panel 1506. Thefirst panel 1502 includes a first internal sensor 1532, the second panel1504 includes a second internal sensor 1534, and the third panel 1506includes a third internal sensor 1536. In an illustrative embodiment,the three-panel device 1501 may be the electronic device 101 of FIGS.1-7, the electronic device 800 of FIG. 8, a three-panel embodiment ofthe electronic device 900 of FIGS. 9-14, or any combination thereof.

In a particular embodiment, the three-panel device 1501 may recognizethe configuration based on activities at the sensors 1512 through 1516,and 1522 through 1526. In particular, a relative orientation of thefirst panel 1502 to the second panel 1504 may be detected at the firsthinge, such as via the presence or absence of a contact between thefirst edge 1508 with one or more of the sensors 1512-1516. In addition,relative orientation of the second panel 1504 with the third panel 1506may be detected or sensed via a presence or absence of contact betweenthe second edge 1510 and one or more of the sensors 1522-1526. Asillustrated, the electronic device 1501 in the configuration 1500 is ina fully folded configuration. Similarly, the one or more of the sensors1532, 1534, and 1536 may include an accelerometer, an inclinometersensor to measure an inclination, a sensor to measure a relativemovement, such as a gyroscopic sensor, another type of sensor, or anycombination thereof. By using sensors at the hinges, such as thesesensors 1512-1516, and 1522-1526, as well as the internal sensors1532-1536, a folding configuration, a relative or absolute alignment, aninclination of the device or other physical configurations may bedetected and responded to via a processor controlling the device such asthe processor 810 of FIG. 8.

For example, the sensors 1512-1516, and 1522-1526, and the internalsensors 1532-1536 may be included or fed into the folding configurationsensor 826 of FIG. 8. The device may include a processor such as theprocessor 810 of FIG. 8, that is responsive to a sensor coupled to ahinge to detect a device configuration from a set of at least threepredetermined configurations. The sensor may include at least one of aHall sensor, an optical sensor, or an inductive sensor. One or more ofthe hinges may be detented to enable a stable extended configuration,folded configuration, and intermediate configuration of the first panelrelative to the second panel, and the processor may be configured toexecute a software application having at least three predeterminedoperating modes corresponding to the at least three predeterminedconfigurations. The processor may also be adapted to adjust an operatingmode of the software application based on the detected deviceconfiguration, as well as to adjust a user interface displayed at thefirst display surface, the second display surface, and the third displaysurface based on the detected device configuration. For example, in afirst predetermined configuration the first display surface, the seconddisplay surface, and the third display surface may be configured toemulate a single screen in a landscape configuration, in a secondpredetermined configuration the first display surface may be active andthe second display surface and the third display surface may beinactive, and in a third predetermined configuration a keyboard may bedisplayed at the third display surface and the first display surface andthe second display surface may be configured to emulate a single screenin a portrait configuration. Although the sensors 1532-1536 are depictedas internal sensors, in other embodiments one or more of the sensorsneed not be internal, and may instead be coupled to a surface of therespective panel, or at other positions relative to the panels.

FIG. 16 depicts the electronic device 1501 of FIG. 15 in a travel clockconfiguration 1600. The first panel 1502 includes the sensors 1512-1516and the first internal sensor 1532. The first sensor 1512 and secondsensor 1514 are not in contact with the first end 1508 of the secondpanel 1504, and the third sensor 1516 is in contact with the first end1508, indicating that the second panel 1502 is positioned at a firstangle stop that is at a substantially 90 degree relative orientation tothe second panel 1504. Similarly, the second edge 1510 of the secondpanel 1504 is in contact with the second sensor 1524 of the third panel1506, but is not in contact with the first sensor 1522 or the thirdsensor 1526 of the third panel 1506. Therefore, a processor of thedevice 1501 may determine that the second panel 1504 is in a relativealignment with the third panel 1506 at a second angle stop, such as at a135 degree relative orientation as illustrated in FIG. 16. In addition,the internal sensor 1534 of the second panel 1504 may indicate that thesecond panel 1504 is inclined relative to a gravitational directionalpull, and the internal sensor 1536 of the third panel 1506 may indicatethat the third panel 1506 is in a relatively horizontal orientation, andstationary, and therefore the electronic device 1501 may recognize thatit has been put into the travel clock configuration 1600.

FIG. 17 depicts the electronic device 1501 of FIG. 15 in a fullyextended configuration 1700. The first panel 1502 and the second panel1504 are positioned such that the first end 1508 of the second panel1504 is in substantial contact with the first sensor 1512 and the thirdsensor 1516 of the first panel 1502, but not in contact with the secondsensor 1514, indicating that the first panel 1502 and the second panel1504 are in a end-to-end alignment at a third angle stop, andsubstantially coplanar at a relative rotational orientation ofapproximately 180 degrees. Similarly, the second panel 1504 and thethird panel 1506 are also substantially coplanar at the third anglestop, as may be detected due to the second edge 1510 being in contactwith first sensor 1522 and the third sensor 1526 of the third panel1506, but not in contact with the second sensor 1524. In addition, oneor more of the internal sensors 1532, 1534 and 1536 may be used toindicate an acceleration, an inclination, one or more relativepositions, or any combination thereof. By including sensors, such aselectronic sensors, pressure sensors, magnetic field detectors, or anycombination thereof, at one or more angle stops or rest positions of thepanels 1502, 1504, and 1506, the electronic device 1501 may determine arelative orientation between one or more of the panels 1502-1506,enabling the electronic device 1501 to determine a hardwareconfiguration it is currently in, and to detect a change in a hardwareconfiguration as the sensors 1512-1516 and 1522-1526 are engaged anddisengaged, respectively.

FIG. 18 depicts an electronic device 1801 having a first panel 1802, andsecond panel 1804, and a third panel 1806 in a fully foldedconfiguration 1800. The first panel 1802 is rotatably coupled to thesecond panel 1804 via recessed hinge that includes a first sensor 1812.The second panel 1804 is coupled to the third panel 1806 via a recessedhinge that includes a second sensor 1822. The second panel 1804 alsoincludes one or more internal sensors 1834. In a particular embodiment,the first sensor 1812 within the recessed hinge may detect a rotationalalignment of the first panel 1802 to the second panel 1804, or a degreeof rotation between one or more of the panels 1802 and 1804 relative toa coupling member, relative to one or more of the pins of the hinge,relative to a direction of gravitational force, via other mechanisms, orany combination thereof, to enable a relative positioning of the firstpanel 1802 with respect to the second panel 1804 to be detected at thefirst sensor 1812. The second sensor 1822 may be configured to performsubstantially similarly to the first sensor 1812, to detect a relativeorientation between the second panel 1804 and the third panel 1806. Incontrast to the electronic device 1501 of embodiments depicted in FIGS.15 through 17, the electronic device 1801 of FIG. 18 in the fully foldedconfiguration 1800 includes a single internal sensor 1834, and two hingesensors 1812 and 1822, enabling the electronic device 1801 to detect afirst parameter, such as an orientation, position, momentum, oracceleration using the internal sensor 1834, and to further detect afolded, unfolded, or partially folded configuration of the panels 1802,1804, 1806 via the hinge sensors 1812 and 1822. In a particularembodiment, the electronic device 1801 may be the electronic device 101of FIGS. 1-7, the electronic device 800 of FIG. 8, a three-panelembodiment of the electronic device 900 of FIGS. 9-14, the electronicdevice 1501 of FIGS. 15-17, or any combination thereof.

FIG. 19 depicts the electronic device 1801 of FIG. 18 in a travel clockconfiguration 1900. The first panel 1802 is coupled at approximately a90 degree angle to the second panel 1804 via a hinge including the firstsensor 1812. The second panel 1804 is coupled at approximately 135degree angle to the third panel 1806 via the hinge including the secondsensor 1822. The internal sensor 1834 may detect an inclination of thesecond panel, which in combination with sensor readings at the firstsensor 1812 and the second sensor 1822, may indicate to a processorcontrolling the electronic device 1801 that the electronic device 1801is in the travel clock configuration 1900. Also, the electronic device1801 also includes one or more signal paths 1940 and 1942 to communicateelectronic data and control signals between the first panel 1802 and thesecond panel 1804, and between the second panel 1804 and the third panel1806, respectively. In a particular embodiment, the signal paths 1940and 1942 may include flex cable, one or more wires, other signal bearingmedia, such as fiber optic cable, other electrically conductive materialto transmit signals, or any combination thereof. Signals transmitted viathe signal paths 1940 and 1942 may be transmitted serially, in parallel,or in combination of serially and in parallel, and may be transmittedaccording to one or more protocols. In a particular embodiment, one ormore of the signaling paths 1940 and 1942 may include a Mobile DisplayDigital Interface (MDDI) interface.

FIG. 20 depicts the electronic device 1801 of FIG. 18 in a fullyextended configuration 2000. The first panel 1802 is substantiallycoplanar with the second panel 1804. The second panel 1804 is alsosubstantially coplanar with the third panel 1806. As illustrated, thefirst sensor 1812 may detect that the first hinge is in a fully extendedconfiguration position, and the second sensor 1822 may detect that thesecond hinge is in a fully extended configuration position. In addition,the internal sensor 1834 may detect that the second panel 1804 is in asubstantially flat or horizontal position or alignment. Based on thesensors 1812, 1822, and 1834, the electronic device 1801 may recognizethat it is in a fully extended position, and may configure software orgraphical user interfaces to display in a landscape configuration acrossone or more display surfaces of the adjacent panels 1802-1806.

Referring to FIG. 21, a particular embodiment of an electronic device isdepicted and generally designated 2100. In a particular embodiment, theelectronic device 2100 may be the electronic device 101 of FIGS. 1-7,the electronic device 800 of FIG. 8, the electronic device 900 of FIGS.9-14, the electronic device 1501 of FIGS. 15-17, the electronic device1801 of FIGS. 18-20, or any combination thereof.

The device 2100 includes a first display surface 2120 on a first panel2122 and a second display surface 2130 on a second panel 2132, separatedby a recessed hinge. Each display surface 2120 and 2130 has a portraitheight 2106, a portrait width 2108, and a diagonal dimension 2110. Thedisplay surfaces 2120 and 2130 extend approximately to an edge of eachof the panels 2122 and 2132. A gap 2102 indicates a distance between anedge of the first display surface 2120 and an edge of the second displaysurface 2130. The panels 2122 and 2132 have a height dimension 2104. Theelectronic device 2100 includes a recessed hinge with a slot thatenables a linear range of motion of a pin, illustrated as hinge traveldistance 2112. In a particular embodiment, the gap 2102 is designed tobe small relative to dimensions of the display surfaces 2120 and 2130.In addition, the height dimension 2104 is designed to be small relativeto the display surfaces to result in a convenient size in a fully foldedconfiguration. Further, the hinge travel distance 2112 may be adjustedto enable the panels 2120 and 2130 to extend in order to rotate from afully extended position to a fully folded position, and to be recessedafter reconfiguration into a substantially locked position. In anillustrative embodiment, the hinge travel distance 2112 may be between 2millimeters (mm) and 10 mm. For example, the hinge travel distance 2112may be about 5 mm.

In a particular embodiment, the portrait height 2106 is between 5-10centimeters (cm), the portrait width 2108 is between 4-8 cm, and thediagonal dimension 2110 may be between 6 and 13 cm, to enable aconvenient size to fit in a pant or jacket pocket when fully foldedwhile providing a large enough display area to provide multiple icons orcontrols of sufficient size and separation to be individually selectedby a user's finger via a touchscreen interface. In an illustrativeembodiment, the portrait height 2106 may be approximately 8 cm, theportrait width 2108 may be approximately 6 cm, and the diagonaldimension 2110 may be approximately 10.2 cm (i.e., approximately 4inches).

In a particular embodiment, the gap 2102 is between approximately 0 and2.4 mm. In an illustrative embodiment, the gap 2102 is less than 2 mm,and may be substantially evenly formed of a portion of the first panel2122 extending beyond the edge of the first display surface 2120 towardthe second panel 2132 and a portion of the second panel 2132 extendingbeyond the edge of the second display surface 2130 toward the firstpanel 2122. In a particular embodiment, the gap 2102 is dimensioned sothat when an image or video is displayed across both display surfaces2120 and 2130 a human visual system may immediately or eventuallyignore, or may not be substantially distracted by, a missing portioncorresponding to the gap 2102.

In a particular embodiment the height dimension 2104 is large enough toinclude a thickness of the display panels 2120 and 2130, internalelectronics, one or more batteries, sensors, or any combination thereof,but small enough to be conveniently placed in a pants pocket when thedevice 2100 is in a fully folded configuration. For example, in anembodiment, having three panels, the height dimension 2104 may be lessthan 5.5 mm, so that a height of the device in a three-panel fullyfolded configuration is no more than 16.5 mm. In an illustrativeembodiment, the height dimension 2104 is approximately 5 mm.

FIG. 22 depicts a particular illustrative embodiment of an electronicdevice 2201 having five configurable panels. The electronic device 2201has a first panel 2202, a second panel 2204, a third panel 2206, afourth panel 2208, and a fifth panel 2210 in a fully extendedconfiguration 2200. In a particular embodiment, each of the panels2202-2210 may include a respective display surface 2222, 2224, 2226,2228, and 2230, such that in the fully extended configuration 2200 aneffective screen area may be formed by the display surfaces of all ofthe panels 2202-2210. In a particular embodiment, the electronic device2201 is a five-panel embodiment of the electronic device 101 of FIGS.1-7, the electronic device 800 of FIG. 8, the electronic device 900 ofFIGS. 9-14, the electronic device 1501 of FIGS. 15-17, the electronicdevice 1801 of FIGS. 18-20, the electronic device 2100 of FIG. 21, orany combination thereof.

FIG. 23 depicts a particular embodiment of the electronic device 2201 ofFIG. 22 in a transitional configuration 2300. The first panel 2202 iscoupled to the second panel 2204 to enable the first panel 2202 andsecond panel 2204 to rotate from a fully extended position depicted inFIG. 22 to a position where a back side of each panel 2202 and 2204 isproximate to the back side of the other panel. Similarly, the secondpanel 2204 and the third panel 2206 are rotatably coupled to bepositionable from at least a fully extended position to a fully foldedposition having the display surface 2224 of the panel 2204 proximate tothe display surface 2226 of the panel 2206. The panel 2206 and the panel2208 are rotatably coupled to be positioned from at least the fullyextended position to a fully folded position having a back surface ofthe panel 2206 proximate to a back surface of the panel 2208. The panels2208 and 2210 are rotatably coupled to be positionable from at least afully extended position to a fully folded position where the displaysurface 2228 of the panel 2208 is proximate to the display surface 2230of the panel 2210. In a particular embodiment, the electronic device2201 depicted in FIGS. 22 and 23 may be generally analogous to theelectronic devices 101, 800, 900, 1501, 1801, or 2100 depicted in FIGS.1-21, and may include one or more configurations, operations, sensors,hinges, or other features of previously disclosed embodiments. It shouldbe understood that any number of panels may be included in a portableelectronic device that automatically adjusts a graphical display basedon a change of folding configuration and is within the scope of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 24 depicts a particular illustrative embodiment of an electronicdevice 2401 having three detachable panels in a detached configuration2400. A first panel 2402 includes a coupling mechanism 2410 that enablesthe first panel 2402 to couple to the second panel 2404 via a secondcoupling mechanism 2412 of the second panel 2404. The couplingmechanisms 2410 and 2412 may be configured to provide mechanical andelectronic coupling between the first panel 2402 and the second panel2404. Similarly, the second panel 2404 includes a third couplingmechanism 2414 configured to provide mechanical and electronic couplingto a fourth coupling mechanism 2416 of a third panel 2406. In aparticular embodiment, the electronic device 2401 is a detachable-panelembodiment of the electronic device 101 of FIGS. 1-7, the electronicdevice 800 of FIG. 8, the electronic device 900 of FIGS. 9-14, theelectronic device 1501 of FIGS. 15-17, the electronic device 1801 ofFIGS. 18-20, the electronic device 2100 of FIG. 21, the electronicdevice 2201 of FIGS. 22-23, or any combination thereof.

FIG. 25 depicts the electronic device 2401 of FIG. 24 in a fullyattached configuration 2500. The first panel 2402 is fixedly coupled tothe second panel 2404 which is fixedly coupled to the third panel 2406.The panels 2402-2406 are in a fully extended configuration. In aparticular embodiment, the coupling mechanisms 2410-2416 depicted inFIG. 24 may rigidly couple the panels 2402, 2404, 2406 so that little tono rotational movement is enabled between the panels 2402-2406. However,in other embodiments, the coupling mechanisms 2410-2416 may provide orenable rotational motion of one or more of the panels 2402-2406 relativeto each other, to enable functionality as described with respect toFIGS. 1-23.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart of an illustrative embodiment of a method ofchanging software states at a multi-panel electronic device, generallydesignated 2600. In a particular embodiment, the method 2600 may beperformed at the electronic device 101 of FIGS. 1-7, the electronicdevice 800 of FIG. 8, the electronic device 900 of FIGS. 9-14, theelectronic device 1501 of FIGS. 15-17, the electronic device 1801 ofFIGS. 18-20, the electronic device 2100 of FIG. 21, the electronicdevice 2201 of FIGS. 22-23, the electronic device 2401 of FIGS. 24 and25, or any combination thereof.

In a particular embodiment, the electronic device may includewell-defined hardware configurations including a folded mode, a fullyunfolded mode, a thumbing mode, a video conferencing mode, and a travelclock mode. A sensor in each panel or fold between panels may detect andreport a change in panel or hinge position. A panel or hinge positionmay be reported in degree of fold, such as within a range of betweenapproximately −180 degrees to approximately 180 degrees. One or moresensors in a middle panel, such as the internal sensor 1834 depicted inFIGS. 18-20, may detect and report orientation changes. A softwarecontroller may collect and analyze sensor input and can decide to takeone or more actions in response to the sensor input. For example, thesoftware controller may initiate a change of a size of an application,such as an application window or user interface element, initiate achange of an orientation of an application, initiate an auto-launch ofan application, initiate an auto-exit of an application, initiate astate change of an application, or a combination of actions.

As illustrated in FIG. 26, the electronic device has a defined softwarestate at 2602. For example, the defined software state may indicate oneor more parameters such as whether an application is running or waiting,whether the application receives user input such as keyboard input, oneor more application window sizes, positions, orientations, and a type ofuser interface provided for the application. The defined software state2602 may indicate a number of panels and a display mode available to anapplication. For example, the device may be in a folded configurationand the software controller may have launched an application in aone-panel portrait mode. The application may define or include one ormore predetermined states to be responsive to the available number ofpanels and display mode and to improve a user experience.

A sensor input 2604 is received, and the panel positions are analyzed at2606. In a particular embodiment, the sensor input 2604 may indicate achange in one or more of a hinge position, an orientation, or amovement. For example, a change in hinge position may be detected byhinge sensors, such as the sensors 1512-1516 of FIGS. 15-17 or thesensors 1812 and 1822 of FIGS. 18-20, while a change in orientation ormovement may be detected by one or more internal sensors, such as theinternal sensors 1532-1536 of FIGS. 15-17 or the internal sensor 1834 ofFIGS. 18-20. In addition, a change in hinge position can be detectedindirectly by sensors other than hinge sensors, such as via a change inrelative orientation of adjacent panels that is detected byinclinometers coupled to the adjacent panels.

Moving to decision 2608, a determination is made whether the electronicdevice is in a defined hardware state. Where the electronic device isnot in a defined hardware state, processing returns to 2602. Forexample, if the determined hardware configuration is not one thepredefined hardware configurations, the software controller may assumethat the device is in transition to a known state and may wait foradditional sensor inputs.

Where the electronic device is determined to be in a defined hardwarestate, at 2608, the electronic device enters a new software state at2610. For example where the electronic device is determined to be in afully unfolded hardware configuration, the software controller mayreconfigure the application with new layout requirements, such asthree-panel landscape mode or a three-panel portrait mode.

In a particular embodiment, the software controller may be implementedby circuitry or other hardware, firmware, one or more processorsexecuting program instructions, such as the processor 810 of FIG. 8, ageneral purpose processor or dedicated processor, or any combinationthereof. In a particular embodiment, an application such as the software834 of FIG. 8 may be written to support multiple predefined states ofoperation, and may be responsive to a control signal such as aninterrupt or a semaphore indicating a particular hardware state orchange of state. In a particular embodiment, the software is responsiblefor querying the hardware configuration and for self-adjusting asoftware state. In another embodiment, the software is responsible forsupporting an interface to receive hardware state change messages fromthe software controller.

FIGS. 27-31 depict a particular embodiment of automatically configuringa keyboard in response to a detected hardware configuration of anelectronic device 2701. In a particular embodiment, the electronicdevice 2701 is the electronic device 101 of FIGS. 1-7, the electronicdevice 800 of FIG. 8, a three-panel version of the electronic device 900of FIGS. 9-14, the electronic device 1501 of FIGS. 15-17, the electronicdevice 1801 of FIGS. 18-20, the electronic device 2100 of FIG. 21, theelectronic device 2201 of FIGS. 22-23, the electronic device 2401 ofFIGS. 24 and 25, or any combination thereof. In a particular embodiment,the electronic device 2701 is configured to operate according to themethod 2600 of FIG. 26.

FIG. 27 depicts the electronic device 2701 in the fully foldedconfiguration 2700. The electronic device 2701 in the fully foldedconfiguration 2700 has a single panel display surface exposed, showing adisplay window 2704 and a keyboard area 2702. In a particularembodiment, the keyboard area 2702 is an image displayed as part of adisplay surface that also includes the display window, and may beactuated via key presses as detected at a touch screen surface. Asillustrated, the image including the display window 2704 and thekeyboard area 2702 is displayed in a portrait orientation on the singleexposed display surface. In another embodiment, the electronic device2701 may be configured to display an image including a display windowand a keyboard area in a landscape orientation. The electronic device2701 may be responsive to one or more sensors to selectively display thekeyboard area in a portrait orientation or a landscape orientation basedon a detected orientation of the electronic device 2701.

FIG. 28 depicts the electronic device 2701 of FIG. 27 in a thumbingconfiguration 2800. In the thumbing configuration 2800, the bottom panelhas a display surface displaying a larger keyboard area 2802 than thesmaller keyboard area 2702 depicted in FIG. 27. A first display surface2804 of a middle panel, and a second display surface 2806 of a top panelmay form two separate display windows, or may be combined to form a2-panel effective screen. The keyboard area 2802, as being larger thanthe keyboard area 2702 of FIG. 27, may enable easier use and moveeffective data input via a touch screen at the display surface showingthe keyboard area 2802.

FIG. 29 illustrates the electronic device 2701 of FIG. 27 in a fullyextended configuration 2900. In the fully extended configuration 2900,the keyboard is illustrated as extended across all three panels, whichform an effective display screen three panels wide and one panel tall.The effective display screen, in a landscape mode, is wider than it istall, although each of the panels comprising the effective screendisplay a respective portion of a displayed landscape image in aportrait configuration. A right-most portion of a keyboard 2902 isdisplayed under a right-most portion 2908 of a display area at aright-most panel. A center panel displays a center portion 2904 of thekeyboard beneath a center portion 2910 of the display area. A left-mostpanel displays a left-most portion 2906 of the keyboard under aleft-most portion 2912 of the display area.

FIG. 30 depicts the electronic device 2701 of FIG. 27 in a travel clockconfiguration 3000. A first horizontal panel displays a keyboard area3002, which may be actuated via touch that is recognized by a touchscreen surface. A second display surface 3004 of the center panel may beused for visual display of application windows, icons, other controls,as well as a clock indicia. A third display surface 3006 may have adisplay area that is powered down, or that performs other functions,such as a night light, displaying one or more ornamental designs, a userspecified display, or any combination thereof.

FIG. 31 illustrates the device 2701 of FIG. 27 in a video conferencingconfiguration 3100. A camera 3104 is illustrated on a back surface ofthe left-most panel, which is depicted in a folded configuration. Theback surface of the leftmost panel may include additional user interfacemechanisms, such as an additional display 3102. In addition, theright-most panel may be divided to provide a keyboard area 3106 at abottom portion of a display surface, and a display area 3108 that mayshow an image of a participant in a video conference call, located abovethe keyboard area 3106. In general, the electronic device 2701 may beprogrammable to recognize a configuration of the device 2701, such asvia one or more sensors internal to the panels, internal to the hinges,or other sensors, and may automatically reconfigure a display of akeyboard at an appropriate portion of one or more appropriate displaysurfaces, as illustrated in FIGS. 27-31. The reconfiguration, redisplay,and reorientation of the display panels, and in particular the keyboard,may be performed automatically in response to a user configuration,folding, hardware adjustment, inclination, orientation, acceleration, orany combination thereof, without any further input required of ordetected from the user.

FIGS. 32-37 illustrate an electronic device 3201 having an icon controlpanel that is responsive to a configuration of the electronic device3201, and that is further responsive to user input to open and closeapplications. In a particular embodiment, the electronic device 3201 isthe electronic device 101 of FIGS. 1-7, the electronic device 800 ofFIG. 8, a three-panel version of the electronic device 900 of FIGS.9-14, the electronic device 1501 of FIGS. 15-17, the electronic device1801 of FIGS. 18-20, the electronic device 2100 of FIG. 21, theelectronic device 2201 of FIGS. 22-23, the electronic device 2401 ofFIGS. 24 and 25, the electronic device 2701 of FIGS. 27-31, or anycombination thereof. In a particular embodiment, the electronic device3201 is configured to operate according to the method 2600 of FIG. 26.

FIG. 32 depicts the electronic device 3201 in a fully foldedconfiguration 3200. A display surface of the left-most panel illustratesone or more controls or other indicia 3204 such as, for example,wireless phone indicia, including a power indicator, a signal strengthindicator, an alarm signal, a digital network bandwidth indication,indicia, or any combination thereof. The upper display surface furtherincludes multiple application icons, such as the representativeapplication icon 3206. The application icons may be responsive to userinput via a touch sensitive surface at the display surface. Theelectronic device 3201 may be usable for telephonic telecommunications,and may include a microphone 3240, a speaker 3242, other hardwareelements to enable one or more functions of the electronic device 3201,or any combination thereof.

FIG. 33 depicts the electronic device 3201 of FIG. 32 in a fullyextended configuration 3300. When the device 3201 is extended from thefully folded configuration 3200 of FIG. 32 to the fully extendedconfiguration 3300 of FIG. 33, a display screen 3308 of the center paneland a display screen 3310 of the right-most panel are exposed andviewable by a user. The display screens 3308 and 3310 may show a desktoparea while the left-most panel may continue to show an icon panelincluding the representative application icon 3206.

FIG. 34 depicts a movement of the representative application icon 3206toward a gap 3414 between a left-most display surface and the centerdisplay surface 3308 in response to a user input. For example, the userinput may be a dragging operation indicating a movement of therepresentative application icon 3206 toward the gap 3414, and mayindicate, via a speed and direction of movement of the application icon3206, that the representative application icon 3206 is to be movedacross the gap 3414. A movement of the representative application icon3206 is illustrated as an arrow 3412, where a speed of movement isillustrated as a length of the arrow 3412, and direction of movement isindicated as a direction of the arrow 3412. The speed and direction ofmovement of the application icon 3206 may be used to make a predictionof a user's intention associated with the user input, such as when theuser input is received as a dragging operation at a touchscreen. Forexample, the speed and direction of movement of the application icon3206 may be used to predict that a user input is intended to move theapplication icon 3206 across the gap 3414, even if the user input endsbefore reaching the gap 3206. In a particular embodiment, one or morephysical laws may be simulated for user interface elements, such asmomentum and friction, such that a user may initiate a motion of a userinterface element and the user interface element may continue its motionaccording to the simulated physics of the interface. For example, aninterface element set into motion by a dragging operation and thenreleased may slow down and stop in a manner that is predictable to theuser and that may be perceived as natural or intuitive by the user.

As illustrated in FIG. 34, as the speed and direction of movementprovided by the user input indicates an instruction for the icon 3206 tocross the gap 3414, at least a portion of the icon 3206 may be displayedat the center display panel 3308, while the remaining portion of theicon 3206 may be displayed at the left-most display panel. In this way,a user may maintain a visual reference of the representative applicationicon 3206 having a continuous motion across the gap 3414. In aparticular embodiment, such as shown when the icon 3206 is movedrelatively slowly, the representative application icon 3206 may be movedacross the gap 3414, and may be positioned in the center display area3308. However, when the application icon 3206 is moved with sufficientspeed across the gap 3414, the electronic device 3201 may interpret theuser input indicating the movement of the representative applicationicon 3206 across the gap 3414 as a launch instruction for an applicationassociated with the representative application icon 3206.

As illustrated in FIG. 35, in a particular embodiment, when applicationicon 3206 of FIGS. 32-34 is pulled across the gap 3414 with sufficientspeed, an application is launched that is associated with theapplication icon 3206, such as by opening an application window 3516 inthe center display area 3308. In another embodiment, the applicationwindow 3516 may extend to cover both the center display surface 3308 andthe right-most display surface 3310, which may be configured to operateas a 2-panel effective display screen.

As illustrated in FIG. 36, in a particular embodiment, a user mayinstruct the electronic device to close the application window 3516 byproviding user input directing the application window 3516 to have amovement, illustrated by an arrow 3618, toward the gap 3414. Theapplication window 3516 may be displayed as traveling toward the gap3414, and may also be displayed as having at least a portion displayedin the first display surface of the left-most panel to provide visualcontinuity to the user of the electronic device 3201 to appear as if theapplication window 3516 is at least partially across the gap 3414. In aparticular embodiment, when the application window 3516 has beeninstructed by a user input to move a sufficient distance toward the gap3414, such as when a particular motion of the application window 3516across the gap 3414 has occurred or will occur, the electronic device3201 may interpret the user input as a command to close the applicationdisplayed at the application window 3516, close the application and theapplication window 3516, and return the representative application icon3206 to its original position in left-most surface panel as depicted inFIG. 37.

FIGS. 32-37 illustrate a method of interaction using the gaps betweentouch screens on a multi-screen electronic device to trigger an event orinteraction with the user interface. By knowing the location and size ofthe gaps, the application or software can use the gap as another methodof interaction. As an example, a browser could be launched from onescreen to display on the remaining screens. The first screen couldcontain application icons including one for a browser, such as theapplication icon 3206 of FIG. 33. A user could place their finger on theicon for the browser then drag the icon in the direction of the screengap, such as the gap 3414 of FIG. 34. As the user reaches the gap, aninteraction could be initiated and visualized showing the browseropening up in the remaining screens. A reverse use of this trigger couldinclude dragging some part of an open application, such as theapplication window 3516 of FIG. 35, across a given gap that initiates aclose or hide feature back to the originating screen.

As illustrated in FIG. 34 and FIG. 36, a visual cue may be used on aforward side of a user interface element to both show direction andlocation across gaps while the user is dragging across multiple screens.When being dragged, the user interface element (such as an icon orapplication window) may shift a number of pixels in the forwarddirection so it is still visible to the user and cues the direction.When dragging across a gap between multiple screens, such as toauto-launch an application or to move a user interface element toanother screen, the user interface element may shift forward the samedistance as the measured gap to both show direction and the ability tomove across screens. By showing the direction, location, and ability tocross gaps, the electronic device 3201 may provide the user with acontinuous cue while dragging user interface elements. As a result, usererrors may be reduced and usability of the electronic device 3201 may beimproved.

Referring to FIG. 38, a particular illustrative embodiment of anelectronic device 3801 having an accelerometer and an inclinometer isdepicted and generally designated 3800. In a particular embodiment, theelectronic device 3801 is the electronic device 101 of FIGS. 1-7, theelectronic device 800 of FIG. 8, a three-panel version of the electronicdevice 900 of FIGS. 9-14, the electronic device 1501 of FIGS. 15-17, theelectronic device 1801 of FIGS. 18-20, the electronic device 2100 ofFIG. 21, the electronic device 2201 of FIGS. 22-23, the electronicdevice 2401 of FIGS. 24 and 25, the electronic device 2701 of FIGS.27-31, the electronic device 3201 of FIGS. 32-37, or any combinationthereof. In a particular embodiment, the electronic device 3801 isconfigured to operate according to the method 2600 of FIG. 26.

The electronic device 3801 includes a first panel 3802 having a firstdisplay surface 3832, a second panel 3804 having a second displaysurface 3834, and a third panel 3806 having a third display surface3836. The three display surfaces 3832-3836 are controlled to emulate asingle display screen that extends across all three display surfaces3832-3836. The first panel 3802 is rotatably coupled to a first edge ofthe second panel 3804 and the third panel 3806 is rotatably coupled to asecond edge of the second panel 3804. An inclinometer 3810 is located atthe second panel 3810, and an accelerometer 3820 is offset from alongitudinal axis 3814 of the second panel. A controller, such as aprocessor 3830, is coupled to the inclinometer 3810 and to theaccelerometer 3820.

The inclinometer 3810 is configured to detect a change in an inclinationof the second panel 3804. For example, the inclinometer 3810 may beconfigured to detect a change in an orientation caused by a longitudinalrotation direction 3812 about a longitudinal axis 3814. Theaccelerometer 3820 may be configured to detect an in-plane rotationdirection 3822 of the second panel 3804 from a landscape orientation toa portrait orientation.

In a particular embodiment, the processor 3830 is configured to executeat least one software application having a graphical user interface. Theprocessor 3830 is responsive to the inclinometer 3810 and theaccelerometer 3820 to redraw an image displayed at the first displaysurface 3832, the second display surface 3834, the third display surface3836, or any combination thereof, from a landscape-type display of theimage to a portrait-type display of the image when the first panel 3832,the second panel 3834, and the third panel 3836 are in at least onepredetermined folding configuration and the change in the inclination ofthe second panel 3834 does not exceed a threshold during the rotation ofthe second panel 3834. For example, the threshold may be an angle in arange between 5 degrees and 30 degrees (or −5 degrees and −30 degrees)and may be approximately 15 degrees (or −15 degrees).

For example, the controller may be configured to calculate that adetected acceleration is faster than an expected acceleration that wouldbe expected to be detected for a person walking and carrying the device3801, and that the inclinometer 3810 has detected no change (or lessthan a threshold change) in inclination. The controller may hold thecontent in place as the device 3801 turns around the content. Becausethe display may change positions compared to an original position of thedisplay, the controller may continually redraw the content until theacceleration stops. For example, this would enable a user of the device3801 to lay the device 3801 on a desk and to spin the device 3801clockwise or counterclockwise to switch the display from portrait tolandscape or any position in between.

FIGS. 39-41 illustrate an operation of the electronic device 3801 ofFIG. 38 as the device 3801 is rotated from a landscape orientation to aportrait orientation.

In FIG. 39, the electronic device 3801 is depicted in a landscape mode3900 where a web browser application image is displayed as alandscape-type display across all three display surfaces. The device3801 may be rotated counterclockwise through a transitional position4000 shown in FIG. 40 to a profile mode position 4100 shown in FIG. 41without substantially changing an inclination of the middle panel. Forexample the device 3801 may be placed flat on a surface such as a tableor desk and rotated. As another example, the device 3801 may be held ata substantially constant inclination, such as a vertical inclination, asthe device 3801 is rotated.

As illustrated in FIG. 40, as the processor 3830 receives inputs fromthe accelerometer 3820 and the inclinometer 3810 indicating that thedevice 3801 is rotating in the in-plane rotation direction 3822 but notsignificantly in the longitudinal rotation direction 3812, the imagedisplayed at the display panels may be continually redrawn to maintainan orientation of the image with respect to a viewer. Such redrawing mayprovide an appearance to a user that the display surfaces function as awindow to an underlying image, where the window rotates and the imageremains stationary. FIG. 41 illustrates the electronic device 3801 at aportrait-type orientation that is attained by rotating the device aquarter-turn counterclockwise from the landscape-type configuration ofFIG. 39. Thus, the user may continually rotate the device 3801 until auser is satisfied with an orientation for viewing of the content.

In a particular embodiment, a gaming application may be executed by thedevice 3801 such that a user provides control input by rotating thedevice 3801. For example, a driving application may display a driver'sview of a racetrack across the extended display panels and a user mayrotate the device 3801 as a steering wheel to control a steering of avehicle on the racetrack, where the view does not rotate with the deviceand instead remains at a substantially stationary orientation, from theuser's perspective. In addition, under certain circumstances a detectedrotation of the device 3801 may be used to initiate specific processesin addition to a continual redrawing of the display. For example, whenthe device 3801 is executing a gaming application, a detected rotationmay trigger one or more vibration actuators (not shown) or otherhardware elements of the device 3801.

FIG. 42 is a flowchart of a second illustrative embodiment of a method4200 of changing software states at a multi-panel electronic device. Ina particular embodiment, the method 4200 may be performed at theelectronic device 101 of FIGS. 1-7, the electronic device 800 of FIG. 8,the electronic device 900 of FIGS. 9-14, the electronic device 1501 ofFIGS. 15-17, the electronic device 1801 of FIGS. 18-20, the electronicdevice 2100 of FIG. 21, the electronic device 2201 of FIGS. 22-23, theelectronic device 2401 of FIGS. 24 and 25, the electronic device 2701 ofFIGS. 27-31, the electronic device 3201 of FIGS. 32-37, the electronicdevice 3801 of FIGS. 38-41, or any combination thereof.

The method 4200 illustrates a default state of an electronic device whenno user interfaces for executing applications are displayed, such asafter the device is powered on and before a user launches anapplication. A sensor input 4202 is received and used to detect a newhardware configuration at 4204. For example, the sensor input 4202 mayindicate a relative orientation, or a change in orientation, of one ormore panels of a multi-panel device, such as via one or more hingesensors, inclinometers, accelerometers, one or more other sensors, orany combination thereof.

Moving to decision 4206, a determination is made whether the device isin a fully folded configuration, at 4206. Where the device is determinedto be in the fully folded configuration, an icon panel may be displayedon an active screen, and other screens may be powered down, at 4208.

Where the device is determined to not be in the fully foldedconfiguration, a determination is made whether the device is in athumbing configuration, at decision 4210. Where the device is determinedto be in the thumbing configuration, desktop icons may be displayed on atop two viewing screens, and a keyboard may be displayed on a bottomscreen, at 4212.

Where the device is determined to not be in the thumbing configuration,a determination is made whether the device is in a travel clockconfiguration, at decision 4214. Where the device is determined to be inthe travel clock configuration, a clock may be displayed at a middlescreen, clock-mode controls may be displayed at a horizontal screen, anda back screen may be powered down, at 4216.

Where the device is determined to not be in the travel clockconfiguration, a determination is made whether the device is in a fullyextended configuration, at decision 4218. Where the device is determinedto be in the fully extended configuration, an icon panel may bedisplayed at a leftmost screen, and the other two screens may be leftclear for applications, at 4220.

Where the device is determined to not be in the fully extendedconfiguration, a determination is made whether the device is in a videoconferencing configuration, at decision 4222. Where the device isdetermined to be in the video conferencing configuration, a videoconference video may be displayed at a top portion of an active screen,video conferencing mode controls may be displayed at a bottom portion ofthe active screen, and the other screens may be powered down, at 4224.

Where the device is determined to not be in the video conferencingconfiguration, a determination may be made, at 4226, that the device isin a transitional configuration, and no change may be performed at thedisplay panels, and processing may return to 4204.

Although the method 4200 illustrates five hardware configurations, inother embodiments, more than five configurations, or less than fiveconfigurations, may be used. For example, an upright configurationresembling a folding screen may cause the electronic device toautomatically begin displaying streaming real-time news, stock quotes,and blog feeds received via a wireless data network, for use as asecondary desktop appliance, or to launch an audio or video file playerto begin playing a playlist stored at the device or received via thedata network, or to automatically launch other applications according toa user configuration, or any combination thereof. In addition, customconfigurations may be programmed into the electronic device and testedagainst when the sensor input 4202 is received.

FIG. 43 is a flowchart of a third illustrative embodiment of a method4300 of changing software states at a multi-panel electronic device. Ina particular embodiment, the method 4300 may be performed at theelectronic device 101 of FIGS. 1-7, the electronic device 800 of FIG. 8,the electronic device 900 of FIGS. 9-14, the electronic device 1501 ofFIGS. 15-17, the electronic device 1801 of FIGS. 18-20, the electronicdevice 2100 of FIG. 21, the electronic device 2201 of FIGS. 22-23, theelectronic device 2401 of FIGS. 24 and 25, the electronic device 2701 ofFIGS. 27-31, the electronic device 3201 of FIGS. 32-37, the electronicdevice 3801 of FIGS. 38-41, or any combination thereof.

The method 4300 illustrates a default state of an electronic device whenan application is executing that supports multiple software states andthat is responsive to a configuration change of the electronic device. Asensor input 4302 is received and used to detect a new hardwareconfiguration, while running the active application, at 4304. Forexample, the sensor input 4302 may indicate a relative orientation, or achange in orientation, of one or more panels of a multi-panel device,such as via one or more hinge sensors, inclinometers, accelerometers,one or more other sensors, or any combination thereof.

Moving to decision 4306, a determination is made whether the device isin a fully folded configuration, at 4306. Where the device is determinedto be in the fully folded configuration, if the application supports asingle-screen configuration, the application window of the applicationin a single-screen mode is displayed on the active screen and the otherscreens are powered down, at 4308. Where the application does notsupport a single-screen mode, the application may be suspended and notdisplayed at the active screen.

Where the device is determined to not be in the fully foldedconfiguration, a determination is made whether the device is in athumbing configuration, at decision 4310. Where the device is determinedto be in the thumbing configuration, an application window may bedisplayed in a two-panel effective screen and a keyboard is displayed atthe bottom screen, at 4312.

Where the device is determined to not be in the thumbing configuration,a determination is made whether the device is in a travel clockconfiguration, at decision 4314. Where the device is determined to be inthe travel clock configuration, if the application supports the travelclock configuration, an application interface is displayed with a clockon the middle screen or with clock-mode controls on the horizontalscreen, or both, and the back screen is powered down, at 4316. If theapplication does not support the travel clock configuration, theapplication may be suspended and not displayed.

Where the device is determined to not be in the travel clockconfiguration, a determination is made whether the device is in a fullyextended configuration, at decision 4318. Where the device is determinedto be in the fully extended configuration, if the application supportsthe fully extended configuration, an application window may be displayedacross all three screens, at 4320. If the application does not supportthe fully extended configuration, an application window may be displayedon one or more screens.

Where the device is determined to not be in the fully extendedconfiguration, a determination is made whether the device is in a videoconferencing configuration, at decision 4322. Where the device isdetermined to be in the video conferencing configuration, if theapplication supports the video conferencing configuration, anapplication interface may be displayed with video at a top portion ofthe active screen and/or with video conferencing mode controls in abottom portion of the active screen, and the other screens may bepowered down, at 4324. If the application does not support the videoconferencing configuration, the application may be suspended.

Where the device is determined to not be in the video conferencingconfiguration, a determination may be made, at 4326, that the device isin a transitional configuration, and no change may be performed at thedisplay panels, and processing may return to 4304.

In a particular embodiment, in one or more configurations not supportedby the application and where the application is suspended, one or moreicons or other indicators may be displayed to indicate the applicationhas been suspended. In another embodiment, instead of suspending theapplication, the application may continue to be executed although nographical user interface may be displayed. For example, an interface foran audio file player may not be displayed, but the audio file player maycontinue playing a playlist, when the device is changed to aconfiguration not supported by the audio file player. In anotherembodiment, the application may be auto-exited rather than suspended inresponse to a transition to a configuration not supported by theapplication. In another embodiment, the application may includeconfiguration data to control whether the application is to be suspendedor auto-exited.

In a particular embodiment, the device may perform other operationsbased on detecting a configuration change. For example, as will bediscussed with respect to FIG. 48, when a browser window is open anddisplays content from a particular website, the device may automaticallyrequest the website to resend content based on an available screen sizeor resolution increasing or decreasing due to a configuration change. Asanother example, a video player may automatically change from awidescreen display mode to reduced resolution narrow display mode whenan available screen size is reduced due to a configuration change, suchas from a fully extended configuration to a fully folded, travel clock,or thumbing configuration.

Although the method 4300 illustrates five hardware configurations, inother embodiments, more than five configurations, or less than fiveconfigurations, may be used. For example, an upright configurationresembling a folding screen may cause the electronic device to displayan application interface for the application in a left-most panel, andmay automatically begin displaying streaming real-time news, stockquotes, and blog feeds received via a wireless data network in thecenter and right-most panel, for use as a secondary desktop appliance.In addition, custom configurations may be programmed to the electronicdevice and tested against when the sensor input 4302 is received.

In addition, one or both of the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 42 and 43may include additional configuration determinations. For example, themethod 4200, 4300, or both, may include one or more determinationswhether the device is in a portrait orientation, a landscapeorientation, or a rotating orientation (for example, as described withrespect to FIGS. 38-41). Based on the determination, the device may makeadditional software configuration and user interface changes. Toillustrate, when the sensor input 4202 or 4302 indicates the device isin the fully extended configuration and the active application is avideo player, the video may be displayed across all three screens whenthe device is detected to be in a landscape orientation (e.g., thedevice is held so that the device is longer in a side-to-side directionthan in an up-and-down direction) but may be displayed in only an uppertwo screens when the device is detected to be in a portrait orientation(e.g., the device is held so that the device is longer in an up-and-downdirection than in a side-to-side direction). In a particular embodiment,the video may be stretched to cover the available display area, while inanother embodiment an aspect ratio of the video may be preserved duringdisplay.

FIG. 44 is a flowchart of a fourth illustrative embodiment of a method4400 of changing software states at a multi-panel electronic device. Ina particular embodiment, the method 4400 may be performed at theelectronic device 101 of FIGS. 1-7, the electronic device 800 of FIG. 8,the electronic device 900 of FIGS. 9-14, the electronic device 1501 ofFIGS. 15-17, the electronic device 1801 of FIGS. 18-20, the electronicdevice 2100 of FIG. 21, the electronic device 2201 of FIGS. 22-23, theelectronic device 2401 of FIGS. 24 and 25, the electronic device 2701 ofFIGS. 27-31, the electronic device 3201 of FIGS. 32-37, the electronicdevice 3801 of FIGS. 38-41, or any combination thereof.

At 4402, a hardware configuration change from a first configuration to asecond configuration is detected at an electronic device. The electronicdevice includes at least a first panel having a first display surfaceand a second panel having a second display surface. The hardwareconfiguration change includes a change in a relative orientation of thefirst display panel to the second display panel. Advancing to 4404, agraphical user interface displayed at the first display surface and thesecond display surface is automatically modified at least partiallybased on the second configuration.

In a particular embodiment, the first panel is rotatably coupled to thesecond panel along a first hinged edge of the second panel, a thirdpanel is rotatably coupled to the second panel along a second hingededge of the second panel, and the third panel has a third displaysurface.

In a particular embodiment, the first panel has a first back surfaceopposite the first display surface, the second panel has a second backsurface opposite the second display surface, and the third panel has athird back surface opposite the third display surface. The secondconfiguration may include a folded configuration having the first backsurface proximate to the second back surface and the second displaysurface proximate to the third display surface. The graphical userinterface may be automatically modified to display at the first displaysurface and not to display at the second display surface or the thirddisplay surface. For example, the second configuration may be the fullyfolded configuration 200 of FIG. 2.

In another embodiment, the second configuration includes a fullyextended configuration having the first panel substantially coplanarwith the second panel and having the second panel substantially coplanarwith the third panel. The first display surface, the second displaysurface, and the third display surface may form a substantiallycontinuous display surface extending across the first panel, the secondpanel, and the third panel. The graphical user interface may beautomatically modified to expand a displayed graphical element acrossthe substantially continuous display surface. For example, the secondconfiguration may be the fully extended configurations 500 of FIG. 5 or6, respectively.

In another embodiment, the second configuration includes the first panelsubstantially coplanar with the second panel to form a substantiallycontinuous two-panel display surface. The second configuration may alsoinclude the third panel positioned such that an angle formed by thesecond display surface and the third display surface is greater thanninety degrees and less than one hundred eighty degrees. The angle isapproximately one hundred thirty five degrees. The graphical userinterface may be automatically modified to display a keyboard at thethird display surface and to display other interface elements at thesubstantially continuous two-panel display surface. For example, thesecond configuration may be the thumbing configuration 300 of FIG. 3.

In another embodiment, the second configuration includes the first paneland the second panel positioned such that a first angle formed by thefirst display surface and the second display surface is approximatelytwo hundred seventy degrees, and a second angle formed by the seconddisplay surface and the third display surface is approximately onehundred thirty five degrees. The graphical user interface may beautomatically modified to display a clock at the second display panel.For example, the second configuration may be the travel clockconfiguration 400 of FIG. 4.

In another embodiment, the second configuration is a video conferencingconfiguration, where the first panel and the second panel aresubstantially coplanar, the third panel is folded onto the second panelsuch that the second display surface is proximate to the third displaysurface, and a camera housed within a back surface of the third panelhas a field of view to capture an image of a user of the device. Thegraphical user interface may be automatically modified to display videoimages at the first display surface and not at the second displaysurface or the third display surface. For example the secondconfiguration may be the video conferencing configuration 700 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 45 is a flowchart of a fifth illustrative embodiment of a method4500 of changing software states at a multi-panel electronic device. Ina particular embodiment, the method 4500 may be performed at theelectronic device 101 of FIGS. 1-7, the electronic device 800 of FIG. 8,the electronic device 900 of FIGS. 9-14, the electronic device 1501 ofFIGS. 15-17, the electronic device 1801 of FIGS. 18-20, the electronicdevice 2100 of FIG. 21, the electronic device 2201 of FIGS. 22-23, theelectronic device 2401 of FIGS. 24 and 25, the electronic device 2701 ofFIGS. 27-31, the electronic device 3201 of FIGS. 32-37, the electronicdevice 3801 of FIGS. 38-41, or any combination thereof.

At 4502, a user input is received to move a graphical user interfaceelement at a first display surface of an electronic device. Theelectronic device further includes a second display surface that isseparated from the first display surface by a gap. Moving to 4504, adetermination is made that at least a portion of the graphical userinterface element is to be moved off an edge of the first displaysurface toward the gap. Continuing to 4506, the at least a portion ofthe graphical user interface element is displayed at the second displaysurface based on a location and a direction of movement of the graphicaluser interface element at the first display surface.

For example, the graphical user interface element may be an applicationicon such as the icon 3206 displayed in FIG. 34 as having a firstportion displayed at the leftmost display surface and having a secondportion displayed at the center display surface during the movement 3412across the gap 3414. As another example, the graphical user interfaceelement may be an application window such as the window 3516 displayedin FIG. 36 as having a first portion displayed at the left-most displaysurface and having a second portion displayed at the center displaysurface during the movement 3618 across the gap 3414.

FIG. 46 is a flowchart of a sixth illustrative embodiment of a method4600 of changing software states at a multi-panel electronic device. Ina particular embodiment, the method 4600 may be performed at theelectronic device 101 of FIGS. 1-7, the electronic device 800 of FIG. 8,the electronic device 900 of FIGS. 9-14, the electronic device 1501 ofFIGS. 15-17, the electronic device 1801 of FIGS. 18-20, the electronicdevice 2100 of FIG. 21, the electronic device 2201 of FIGS. 22-23, theelectronic device 2401 of FIGS. 24 and 25, the electronic device 2701 ofFIGS. 27-31, the electronic device 3201 of FIGS. 32-37, the electronicdevice 3801 of FIGS. 38-41, or any combination thereof.

At 4602, a user input is received to move an application icon at a firstdisplay surface of an electronic device. The electronic device furtherincludes a second display surface that is separated from the firstdisplay surface by a gap. For example, the user input may include a dragoperation of the application icon at a touch screen at the first displaysurface. In an illustrative embodiment, the application icon is the icon3206 of FIGS. 32-35.

Advancing to 4604, a determination is made that the application icon isto be moved off an edge of the first display surface toward the gapbased on the user input. For example, the icon 3206 may be moved towardthe gap 3414 as illustrated in FIG. 34. Continuing to 4606, anapplication associated with the application icon is launched in responseto the application icon being moved off the edge of the first displaytoward the gap. Proceeding to 4608, at least a portion of a userinterface for the application associated with the application icon isdisplayed at the second display surface, such as the application window3516 at the second display surface 3308 depicted in FIG. 35.

FIG. 47 is a flowchart of a seventh illustrative embodiment of a method4700 of changing software states at a multi-panel electronic device. Ina particular embodiment, the method 4700 may be performed at theelectronic device 101 of FIGS. 1-7, the electronic device 800 of FIG. 8,the electronic device 900 of FIGS. 9-14, the electronic device 1501 ofFIGS. 15-17, the electronic device 1801 of FIGS. 18-20, the electronicdevice 2100 of FIG. 21, the electronic device 2201 of FIGS. 22-23, theelectronic device 2401 of FIGS. 24 and 25, the electronic device 2701 ofFIGS. 27-31, the electronic device 3201 of FIGS. 32-37, the electronicdevice 3801 of FIGS. 38-41, or any combination thereof.

At 4702, a plurality of application icons are displayed at a firstdisplay surface of an electronic device and an application interfacewindow for an application is displayed at a second display surface ofthe electronic device. The first display surface is separated from thesecond display surface by a gap. In an illustrative embodiment, theapplication interface window may be the application window 3516 at thesecond display surface 3308 separated from the application icons by thegap 3414, as depicted in FIG. 35.

Moving to 4704, a user input is received to move at least a portion ofthe application interface window at the second display surface. Forexample, the user input may include a drag operation of the applicationicon at a touch screen at the second display surface. Continuing to4706, a determination is made that at least a portion of the applicationinterface window is to be moved off an edge of the second displaysurface toward the gap based on the user input. Advancing to 4708, theapplication interface window is closed in response to the portion of theapplication interface window being moved off the edge of the seconddisplay, such as is illustrated as the application window 3516 is movedacross the gap 3414 in FIGS. 36-37.

Proceeding to 4710, in a particular embodiment, an application iconassociated with the application is displayed at the first displaysurface in response to the portion of the application interface windowbeing moved off the edge of the second display. For example, theapplication icon 3206 is displayed in FIG. 37 after a portion of theapplication window 3516 is moved across the gap 3414. Continuing to4712, in a particular embodiment, the application is closed in responseto the portion of the application interface window being moved off theedge of the second display.

FIG. 48 is a flowchart of an eighth illustrative embodiment of a method4800 of changing software states at a multi-panel electronic device.Depending on screen size and resolution, a web browser at a multi-panelelectronic device may automatically change the way the web browserpresents itself to a web server. When the screen size and/or screenresolution changes, such as by folding or unfolding panels of theelectronic device, the current web site may be automatically refreshedwith a web site served for the new browser identification parameters.The user changes the parameters of the device by changing a foldingconfiguration, and the device may automatically transmit informationthat enables the web sites to automatically serve web content that maybe appropriate to the new parameters of the device.

In a particular embodiment, the method 4800 may be performed at theelectronic device 101 of FIGS. 1-7, the electronic device 800 of FIG. 8,the electronic device 900 of FIGS. 9-14, the electronic device 1501 ofFIGS. 15-17, the electronic device 1801 of FIGS. 18-20, the electronicdevice 2100 of FIG. 21, the electronic device 2201 of FIGS. 22-23, theelectronic device 2401 of FIGS. 24 and 25, the electronic device 2701 ofFIGS. 27-31, the electronic device 3201 of FIGS. 32-37, the electronicdevice 3801 of FIGS. 38-41, or any combination thereof.

At 4802, a hardware configuration change from a first configuration to asecond configuration is detected at an electronic device. The electronicdevice includes at least a first panel having a first display surfaceand a second panel having a second display surface. At least one of aneffective screen size or a screen resolution corresponding to a viewingarea of the first display surface and the second display surface ismodified in response to the hardware configuration change. For example,the first panel may be coupled to the second panel via a hinge, and thehardware configuration change may include a change of a relativeorientation of the first panel with respect to the second panel.

Moving to 4804, at least one parameter is sent to a web server inresponse to the hardware configuration change, the at least oneparameter based on at least one of the modified effective screen size orthe modified screen resolution.

In a particular embodiment, the at least one parameter indicates abrowser setting. Advancing to 4806, a browser interface may beautomatically modified based on the hardware configuration change.Continuing to 4808, modified content may be received from the webserver, the modified content formatted to be displayed based on thebrowser setting. Proceeding to 4810, the modified content may bedisplayed at the modified browser interface.

The electronic device may be configured to send the at least oneparameter, to automatically modify the browser interface, and to displaythe modified content in response to detecting the hardware configurationchange without receiving additional user input. To illustrate, when theelectronic device 101 of FIG. 1 is folded into the fully foldedconfiguration 200 of FIG. 2 while a browser application is executing,the device 101 may automatically configure the browser to display at thefirst surface 102 and may transmit a request for a mobile device webpagewith reduced page content to a web server providing content that isdisplayed at the browser, such as by identifying the web browser as amobile browser type. When the device 101 is changed to the fullyextended configuration 500 of FIG. 5 or 600 of FIG. 6, the device 101may automatically configure the browser to display across all threedisplay surfaces 102-106 and may transmit to the web server providing arequest for a desktop-type webpage with more content, such as byidentifying the web browser as a desktop or laptop browser type.

Referring to FIG. 49, a particular illustrative embodiment of anelectronic device 4901 having accelerometers is depicted and generallydesignated 4900. In a particular embodiment, the electronic device 4901is the electronic device 101 of FIGS. 1-7, the electronic device 800 ofFIG. 8, a three-panel version of the electronic device 900 of FIGS.9-14, the electronic device 1501 of FIGS. 15-17, the electronic device1801 of FIGS. 18-20, the electronic device 2100 of FIG. 21, theelectronic device 2201 of FIGS. 22-23, the electronic device 2401 ofFIGS. 24 and 25, the electronic device 2701 of FIGS. 27-31, theelectronic device 3201 of FIGS. 32-37, the electronic device 3801 ofFIGS. 38-41, or any combination thereof. In a particular embodiment, theelectronic device 4901 is configured to operate according to the method2600 of FIG. 26, the method 4200 of FIG. 42, the method 4300 of FIG. 43,the method 4400 of FIG. 44, the method 4500 of FIG. 45, the method 4600of FIG. 46, the method 4700 of FIG. 47, the method 4800 of FIG. 48, orany combination thereof.

The electronic device 4901 includes a first panel 4902 having a firstdisplay surface 4908, a second panel 4904 having a second displaysurface 4910, and a third panel 4906 having a third display surface4912. The three display surfaces 4908-4912 may be controlled to emulatea single display screen that extends across all three display surfaces4908-4912. The first panel 4902 is rotatably coupled to a first edge ofthe second panel 4904 and the third panel 4906 is rotatably coupled to asecond edge of the second panel 4904. A first accelerometer 4922 islocated at the first panel 4902, a second accelerometer 4924 is locatedat the second panel 4904, and a third accelerometer 4926 is located atthe third panel 4906. An orientation module 4994 is coupled to receivefirst acceleration data 4982 from the first accelerometer 4922. Theorientation module 4994 is coupled to receive second acceleration data4984 from the second accelerometer 4924. The orientation module 4994 iscoupled to receive third acceleration data 4986 from the thirdaccelerometer 4926. A controller, such as a processor 4998, is coupledto the orientation module 4994 as shown by the arrow 4996. Mutuallyorthogonal axes X1, Y1, and Z1 are associated with the firstaccelerometer 4922. Mutually orthogonal axes X2, Y2, and Z2 areassociated with the second accelerometer 4924. Mutually orthogonal axesX3, Y3, and Z3 are associated with the third accelerometer 4926.

The first accelerometer 4922 is coupled to the first panel 4902 and maybe configured to generate the first acceleration data 4982 related to anacceleration of the first panel 4902. The second accelerometer 4924 iscoupled to the second panel 4904 and may be configured to generate thesecond acceleration data 4984 related to an acceleration of the secondpanel 4904. The third accelerometer 4926 is coupled to the third panel4906 and may be configured to generate the third acceleration data 4986related to an acceleration of the third panel 4906. The orientationmodule 4994 may be configured to determine a configuration of theelectronic device 4901 at least partially based on the firstacceleration data 4982 received from the first accelerometer 4922, thesecond acceleration data 4984 received from the second accelerometer4924, and the third acceleration data 4986 received from the thirdaccelerometer 4926.

In a particular embodiment, the orientation module 4994 is configured todetermine the configuration of the electronic device 4901 based on afirst orientation of the first display surface 4908 relative to adirection of gravity, a second orientation of the second display surface4910 relative to the direction of gravity, and a third orientation ofthe third display surface 4912 relative to the direction of gravity. Ina particular embodiment, the processor 4998 is configured toautomatically adjust a graphical user interface (GUI) provided to atleast one of the first display surface 4908, the second display surface4910, and the third display surface 4912, based on a detected change ofthe configuration of the electronic device 4901.

Referring to FIG. 50, the electronic device 4901 of FIG. 49 in a fullyextended configuration is depicted and generally designated 5000. In thefully extended configuration 5000, the acceleration sensed by the firstaccelerometer 4922 is shown by the arrow 5032, the acceleration sensedby the second accelerometer 4924 is shown by the arrow 5034, and theacceleration sensed by the third accelerometer 4926 is shown by thearrow 5036. The accelerations 5032-5036 are due to gravity and are allin the direction of gravity, in the negative Z1 direction according tothe first accelerometer 4922, in the negative Z2 direction according tothe second accelerometer 4924, and in the negative Z3 directionaccording to the third accelerometer 4926. The accelerations 5032-5036are also of substantially the same magnitude, as represented by therespective lengths of the arrows 5032-5036.

Referring to FIG. 51, the electronic device 4901 of FIG. 49 in a fullyfolded configuration is depicted and generally designated 5100. In thefully folded configuration 5100, the acceleration sensed by the firstaccelerometer 4922 is shown by the arrow 5132, the acceleration sensedby the second accelerometer 4924 is shown by the arrow 5134, and theacceleration sensed by the third accelerometer 4926 is shown by thearrow 5136. The accelerations 5132-5136 are due to gravity and are allin the direction of gravity, in the negative Z1 direction according tothe first accelerometer 4922, in the positive Z2 direction according tothe second accelerometer 4924, and in the negative Z3 directionaccording to the third accelerometer 4926. The direction of theacceleration 5134 sensed by the second accelerometer 4924 is opposite tothe direction of the acceleration 5132 sensed by the first accelerometer4922 and is opposite to the direction of the acceleration 5136 sensed bythe third accelerometer 4926. In the fully folded configuration 5100,the second accelerometer 4924 is “upside down” with respect to the firstaccelerometer 4922 and with respect to the third accelerometer 4926. Theaccelerations 5132-5136 are all of substantially the same magnitude, asrepresented by the respective lengths of the arrows 5132-5136.

Referring to FIG. 52, the electronic device 4901 of FIG. 49 in athumbing configuration is depicted and generally designated 5200. In thethumbing configuration 5200, the acceleration sensed by the firstaccelerometer 4922 is shown by the arrow 5232, the acceleration sensedby the second accelerometer 4924 is shown by the arrow 5234, and theacceleration sensed by the third accelerometer 4926 is shown by thearrow 5236. The accelerations 5232-5236 are due to gravity and are allin the direction of gravity, in the negative Z1 direction according tothe first accelerometer 4922, with a gravitational component 5250 in thenegative Z2 direction and a gravitational component 5252 in the negativeX2 direction according to the second accelerometer 4924, and with agravitational component 5240 in the negative Z3 direction and agravitational component 5242 in the negative X3 direction according tothe third accelerometer 4926. The accelerations 5232-5236 are all ofsubstantially the same magnitude, as represented by the respectivelengths of the arrows 5232-5236.

The magnitude of the gravitational component 5240 is equal to theproduct of the sine of the angle between the acceleration 5236 and thegravitational component 5242 with the magnitude of the acceleration5236. For example, if the angle is thirty degrees, then the magnitude ofthe gravitational component 5240 is one half the magnitude of theacceleration 5236 and is also one half the magnitude of the acceleration5232 because the magnitude of the acceleration 5232 is the same as themagnitude of the acceleration 5236. Similarly, the magnitude of thegravitational component 5250 is equal to the product of the sine of theangle between the acceleration 5234 and the gravitational component 5252with the magnitude of the acceleration 5234. For example, if the angleis thirty degrees, then the magnitude of the gravitational component5250 is one half the magnitude of the acceleration 5234 and is also onehalf the magnitude of the acceleration 5232 because the magnitude of theacceleration 5234 is the same as the magnitude of the acceleration 5232.

Referring to FIG. 53, the electronic device 4901 of FIG. 49 in a videoconferencing configuration is depicted and generally designated 5300. Inthe video conferencing configuration 5300, the acceleration sensed bythe first accelerometer 4922 is shown by the arrow 5332, theacceleration sensed by the second accelerometer 4924 is shown by thearrow 5334, and the acceleration sensed by the third accelerometer 4926is shown by the arrow 5336. The accelerations 5332-5336 are due togravity and are all in the direction of gravity, in the negative Z1direction according to the first accelerometer 4922, in the negative Z2direction according to the second accelerometer 4924, and in thepositive Z3 direction according to the third accelerometer 4926. Thedirection of the acceleration 5336 sensed by the third accelerometer4926 is opposite to the direction of the acceleration 5332 sensed by thefirst accelerometer 4922 and is opposite to the direction of theacceleration 5334 sensed by the second accelerometer 4924. In the videoconferencing configuration 5300, the third accelerometer 4926 is “upsidedown” with respect to the first accelerometer 4922 and with respect tothe second accelerometer 4924. The accelerations 5332-5336 are all ofsubstantially the same magnitude, as represented by the respectivelengths of the arrows 5332-5336.

Referring to FIG. 54, the electronic device 4901 of FIG. 49 in a travelclock configuration is depicted and generally designated 5400. In thetravel clock configuration 5400, the acceleration sensed by the firstaccelerometer 4922 is shown by the arrow 5432, the acceleration sensedby the second accelerometer 4924 is shown by the arrow 5434, and theacceleration sensed by the third accelerometer 4926 is shown by thearrow 5436. The accelerations 5432-5436 are due to gravity and are allin the direction of gravity, with a gravitational component 5440 in thenegative Z1 direction and a gravitational component 5442 in the negativeX1 direction according to the first accelerometer 4922, with agravitational component 5450 in the negative Z2 direction and agravitational component 5452 in the positive X2 direction according tothe second accelerometer 4924, and in the negative Z3 directionaccording to the third accelerometer 4926. The accelerations 5432-5436are all of substantially the same magnitude, as represented by therespective lengths of the arrows 5432-5436.

The magnitude of the gravitational component 5440 is equal to theproduct of the sine of the angle between the acceleration 5432 and thegravitational component 5442 with the magnitude of the acceleration5432. For example, if the angle is thirty degrees, then the magnitude ofthe gravitational component 5440 is one half the magnitude of theacceleration 5432 and is also one half the magnitude of the acceleration5436 because the magnitude of the acceleration 5432 is the same as themagnitude of the acceleration 5436. Similarly, the magnitude of thegravitational component 5450 is equal to the product of the sine of theangle between the acceleration 5434 and the gravitational component 5452with the magnitude of the acceleration 5434. For example, if the angleis thirty degrees, then the magnitude of the gravitational component5450 is one half the magnitude of the acceleration 5434 and is also onehalf the magnitude of the acceleration 5436 because the magnitude of theacceleration 5434 is the same as the magnitude of the acceleration 5436.

Referring to FIG. 55, the electronic device 4901 of FIG. 49 in adual-panel configuration is depicted and generally designated 5500. Inthe dual-panel configuration 5500, the acceleration sensed by the firstaccelerometer 4922 is shown by the arrow 5532, the acceleration sensedby the second accelerometer 4924 is shown by the arrow 5534, and theacceleration sensed by the third accelerometer 4926 is shown by thearrow 5536. The accelerations 5532-5536 are due to gravity and are allin the direction of gravity, in the positive Z1 direction according tothe first accelerometer 4922, in the negative Z2 direction according tothe second accelerometer 4924, and in the negative Z3 directionaccording to the third accelerometer 4926. The direction of theacceleration 5532 sensed by the first accelerometer 4922 is opposite tothe direction of the acceleration 5534 sensed by the secondaccelerometer 4924 and is opposite to the direction of the acceleration5536 sensed by the third accelerometer 4926. In the dual-panelconfiguration 5500, the first accelerometer 4922 is “upside down” withrespect to the second accelerometer 4924 and with respect to the thirdaccelerometer 4926. The accelerations 5532-5536 are all of substantiallythe same magnitude, as represented by the respective lengths of thearrows 5532-5536.

In a particular embodiment, the dual-panel configuration illustrated inFIG. 55 may function as a “book mode,” and the panels that include thesecond accelerometer 4924 and the third accelerometer 4926 may simulatethe two sides of a book. In such a book mode configuration, the panelthat includes the first accelerometer 4922 may be folded back away fromthe user during normal operation and turned off to conserve energy(e.g., energy supplied by the batteries 884 and 886 of FIG. 8). Itshould be noted that although the particular configuration illustratedin FIG. 55 depicts the book mode panels as substantially coplanar, thepanels may instead be slightly bent towards each other, furthersimulating the viewing of text and images in a book.

Furthermore, one or more of the electronic device 101 of FIGS. 1-7, theelectronic device 800 of FIG. 8, a three-panel version of the electronicdevice 900 of FIGS. 9-14, the electronic device 1501 of FIGS. 15-17, theelectronic device 1801 of FIGS. 18-20, the electronic device 2100 ofFIG. 21, the electronic device 2201 of FIGS. 22-23, the electronicdevice 2401 of FIGS. 24 and 25, the electronic device 2701 of FIGS.27-31, the electronic device 3201 of FIGS. 32-37, and the electronicdevice 3801 of FIGS. 38-41, may also be configured to operate in a bookmode configuration in addition to one or more predeterminedconfigurations previously described.

FIG. 56 is a flowchart of a first illustrative embodiment of a method5600 of determining a configuration of an electronic device. In aparticular embodiment, the method 5600 may be performed at theelectronic device 101 of FIGS. 1-7, the electronic device 800 of FIG. 8,the electronic device 900 of FIGS. 9-14, the electronic device 1501 ofFIGS. 15-17, the electronic device 1801 of FIGS. 18-20, the electronicdevice 2100 of FIG. 21, the electronic device 2201 of FIGS. 22-23, theelectronic device 2401 of FIGS. 24 and 25, the electronic device 2701 ofFIGS. 27-31, the electronic device 3201 of FIGS. 32-37, the electronicdevice 3801 of FIGS. 38-41, the electronic device 4901 of FIGS. 49-55,or any combination thereof.

A sensor input 5602 is received and used to detect a new hardwareconfiguration at 5604. The new hardware configuration is detected basedon acceleration data using the magnitude (M) and direction (D) ofgravity relative to the first panel (g1), the second panel (g2), and thethird panel (g3). For example, the sensor input 4202 may indicate arelative orientation, or a change in orientation, of one or more panelsof a multi-panel device, such as via one or more accelerometers.

Moving to decision 5606, a determination is made whether the directionof gravity relative to the first panel D(g1) is substantially the sameas the direction of gravity relative to the third panel D(g3) and issubstantially opposite to the direction of gravity relative to thesecond panel D(g2), at 5606. Where it is determined that D(g1) issubstantially the same as D(g3) and is substantially opposite to D(g2),the device is determined to be in the fully folded configuration, at5608. For example, the device may be in the fully folded configuration5100 of FIG. 51. When the magnitude of the acceleration data in they-direction (i.e., in the direction Y1 of FIG. 49) is greater than themagnitude of the acceleration data in the x-direction (i.e., in thedirection X1 of FIG. 49), the device is determined to be in the portraitconfiguration. When the magnitude of the acceleration data in thex-direction (i.e., in the direction X1 of FIG. 49) is greater than themagnitude of the acceleration data in the y-direction (i.e., in thedirection Y1 of FIG. 49), the device is determined to be in thelandscape configuration. If the configuration has changed (e.g., thepreviously detected configuration was not the fully folded configuration5100 of FIG. 51), the graphic user interface is revised according to theconfiguration change and processing may return to detecting a newconfiguration at 5604.

Where it is determined that D(g1) is not substantially the same as D(g3)and/or is not substantially opposite to D(g2), a determination is madewhether D(g1) is substantially the same as D(g2) and is substantiallythe same as D(g3) and whether the magnitude of the z-component ofgravity (i.e., the component of gravity in the direction Z1 of FIG. 49)relative to the first panel M(g1) is substantially the same as themagnitude of the z-component of gravity (i.e., the component of gravityin the direction Z2 of FIG. 49) relative to the second panel M(g2) andis substantially the same as the magnitude of the z-component of gravity(i.e., the component of gravity in the direction Z3 of FIG. 49) relativeto the third panel M(g3), at decision 5610. Where it is determined thatD(g1) is substantially the same as D(g2) and is substantially the sameas D(g3) and that M(g1) is substantially the same as M(g2) and issubstantially the same as M(g3), the device is determined to be in thefully extended configuration, at 5612. For example, the device may be inthe fully extended configuration 5000 of FIG. 50. When the magnitude ofthe acceleration data in the x-direction (i.e., in the direction X1 ofFIG. 49) is greater than the magnitude of the acceleration data in they-direction (i.e., in the direction Y1 of FIG. 49), the device isdetermined to be in the portrait configuration. When the magnitude ofthe acceleration data in the y-direction (i.e., in the direction Y1 ofFIG. 49) is greater than the magnitude of the acceleration data in thex-direction (i.e., in the direction X1 of FIG. 49), the device isdetermined to be in the landscape configuration. If the configurationhas changed (e.g., the previously detected configuration was not thefully extended configuration 5000 of FIG. 50), the graphic userinterface is revised according to the configuration change andprocessing may return to detecting a new configuration at 5604.

Where it is determined that D(g1) is not substantially the same as D(g2)and/or is not substantially the same as D(g3) and/or that M(g1) is notsubstantially the same as M(g2) and/or is not substantially the same asM(g3), a determination is made whether D(g1) is substantially the sameas D(g2) and is substantially the same as D(g3) and whether two timesM(g1) is substantially the same as two times M(g2) and is substantiallythe same as M(g3), at decision 5614. Where it is determined that D(g1)is substantially the same as D(g2) and is substantially the same asD(g3) and that two times M(g1) is substantially the same as two timesM(g2) and is substantially the same as M(g3), the device is determinedto be in the travel clock configuration, at 5616. For example, thedevice may be in the travel clock configuration 5400 of FIG. 54 wherethe angle between the first panel and the second panel is sixty degrees.In alternative embodiments, the angle between the first panel and thesecond panel may be more or less than sixty degrees. If theconfiguration has changed (e.g., the previously detected configurationwas not the travel clock configuration 5400 of FIG. 54), the graphicuser interface is revised according to the configuration change andprocessing may return to detecting a new configuration at 5604.

Where it is determined that D(g1) is not substantially the same as D(g2)and/or is not substantially the same as D(g3) and/or that two timesM(g1) is not substantially the same as two times M(g2) and/or is notsubstantially the same as M(g3), a determination is made whether D(g1)is substantially the same as D(g2) and is substantially opposite toD(g3) and whether M(g1) is substantially the same as M(g2) and issubstantially the same as M(g3), at decision 5618. Where it isdetermined that D(g1) is substantially the same as D(g2) and issubstantially opposite to D(g3) and that M(g1) is substantially the sameas M(g2) and is substantially the same as M(g3), the device isdetermined to be in the video conferencing configuration, at 5620. Forexample, the device may be in the video conferencing configuration 5300of FIG. 53. If the configuration has changed (e.g., the previouslydetected configuration was not the video conferencing configuration 5300of FIG. 53), the graphic user interface is revised according to theconfiguration change and processing may return to detecting a newconfiguration at 5604.

Where it is determined that D(g1) is not substantially the same as D(g2)and/or is not substantially opposite to D(g3) and/or that M(g1) is notsubstantially the same as M(g2) and/or is not substantially the same asM(g3), a determination is made whether D(g1) is substantially oppositeto D(g2) and is substantially opposite to D(g3) and whether M(g1) issubstantially the same as M(g2) and is substantially the same as M(g3),at decision 5622. Where it is determined that D(g1) is substantiallyopposite to D(g2) and is substantially opposite to D(g3) and that M(g1)is substantially the same as M(g2) and is substantially the same asM(g3), the device is determined to be in the dual-screen configuration,at 5624. For example, the device may be in the dual-screen configuration5500 of FIG. 55. When the magnitude of the acceleration data in thex-direction (i.e., in the direction X1 of FIG. 49) is greater than themagnitude of the acceleration data in the y-direction (i.e., in thedirection Y1 of FIG. 49), the device is determined to be in the portraitconfiguration. When the magnitude of the acceleration data in they-direction (i.e., in the direction Y1 of FIG. 49) is greater than themagnitude of the acceleration data in the x-direction (i.e., in thedirection X1 of FIG. 49), the device is determined to be in thelandscape configuration. If the configuration has changed (e.g., thepreviously detected configuration was not the dual-screen configuration5500 of FIG. 55), the graphic user interface is revised according to theconfiguration change and processing may return to detecting a newconfiguration at 5604.

Where it is determined that D(g1) is not substantially opposite to D(g2)and/or is not substantially opposite to D(g3) and/or that M(g1) is notsubstantially the same as M(g2) and/or is not substantially the same asM(g3), a determination is made whether D(g1) is substantially the sameas D(g2) and is substantially the same as D(g3) and whether M(g1) issubstantially the same as two times M(g2) and is substantially the sameas two times M(g3), at decision 5626. Where it is determined that D(g1)is substantially the same as D(g2) and is substantially the same asD(g3) and that M(g1) is substantially the same as two times M(g2) and issubstantially the same as two times M(g3), the device is determined tobe in the thumbing configuration, at 5628. For example, the device maybe in the thumbing configuration 5200 of FIG. 52 where the angle betweenthe first panel and the second panel is one-hundred-twenty degrees. Inalternative embodiments, the angle between the first panel and thesecond panel may be more or less than one-hundred-twenty degrees. If theconfiguration has changed (e.g., the previously detected configurationwas not the thumbing configuration 5200 of FIG. 52), the graphic userinterface is revised according to the configuration change andprocessing may return to detecting a new configuration at 5604.

Where a determination is made that D(g1) is not substantially the sameas D(g2) and/or is not substantially the same as D(g3) and/or that M(g1)is not substantially the same as two times M(g2) and/or is notsubstantially the same as two times M(g3), a determination may be made,at 5630, that the device is in a transitional configuration, and nochange may be performed at the display panels, and processing may returnto detecting a new configuration at 5604.

In various illustrative embodiments, an orientation may not beconsidered to be a changed orientation until the new orientation hasbeen consistent for some period of time, for example, about 200milliseconds (ms). If the magnitude of the acceleration data in thez-direction (i.e., in the direction Z1 of FIG. 49) is substantiallyzero, it may be difficult to determine the orientations of the panelsfrom the magnitude of the acceleration in the z-direction. The magnitudeof the acceleration data in the x-direction (i.e., in the direction X1of FIG. 49) may be used instead, if the magnitude of the accelerationdata in the x-direction is greater than zero. If the magnitudes of theacceleration data in the x-direction and in the z-direction are bothsubstantially zero, the magnitude of the acceleration data in they-direction (i.e., in the direction Y1 of FIG. 49) may be used instead.

FIG. 57 is a flowchart of a second illustrative embodiment of a method5700 of determining a configuration of an electronic device. In aparticular embodiment, the method 5700 may be performed at theelectronic device 101 of FIGS. 1-7, the electronic device 800 of FIG. 8,the electronic device 900 of FIGS. 9-14, the electronic device 1501 ofFIGS. 15-17, the electronic device 1801 of FIGS. 18-20, the electronicdevice 2100 of FIG. 21, the electronic device 2201 of FIGS. 22-23, theelectronic device 2401 of FIGS. 24 and 25, the electronic device 2701 ofFIGS. 27-31, the electronic device 3201 of FIGS. 32-37, the electronicdevice 3801 of FIGS. 38-41, the electronic device 4901 of FIGS. 49-55,or any combination thereof.

The method 5700 includes receiving first acceleration data from a firstsensor coupled to a first portion of an electronic device, at 5702. Forexample, the orientation module 4994 may receive the first accelerationdata 4982 from the first accelerometer 4922 coupled to the first panel4902 of the electronic device 4901 of FIG. 49. The method furtherincludes receiving second acceleration data from a second sensor coupledto a second portion of the electronic device, where a position of thefirst portion is movable with respect to a position of the secondportion, at 5704. For example, the orientation module 4994 may receivethe second acceleration data 4984 from the second accelerometer 4924coupled to the second panel 4904 of the electronic device 4901 of FIG.49, where the position of the first panel 4902 is movable with respectto the position of the second panel 4904.

The method further includes determining a configuration of theelectronic device at least partially based on the first accelerationdata and the second acceleration data, at 5706. For example, if thefirst acceleration data 4982 indicates a direction of gravity in thenegative Z1 direction at the first accelerometer 4922 and the secondacceleration data 4984 indicates a direction of gravity in the positiveZ2 direction at the second accelerometer 4924, the orientation module4994 may determine that the first panel 4902 is fully folded against thesecond panel 4904 so that the device 4901 of FIG. 49 may be in the fullyfolded configuration 5100 of FIG. 51. Similarly, if the firstacceleration data 4982 indicates a direction of gravity in the negativeZ1 direction at the first accelerometer 4922 and the second accelerationdata 4984 indicates a direction of gravity in the negative Z2 directionat the second accelerometer 4924, the orientation module 4994 maydetermine that the first panel 4902 is fully extended with respect tothe second panel 4904 so that the device 4901 of FIG. 49 may be in thefully extended configuration 5000 of FIG. 50.

FIG. 58 is a flowchart of a third illustrative embodiment of a method5800 of determining a configuration of an electronic device. In aparticular embodiment, the method 5800 may be performed at theelectronic device 101 of FIGS. 1-7, the electronic device 800 of FIG. 8,the electronic device 900 of FIGS. 9-14, the electronic device 1501 ofFIGS. 15-17, the electronic device 1801 of FIGS. 18-20, the electronicdevice 2100 of FIG. 21, the electronic device 2201 of FIGS. 22-23, theelectronic device 2401 of FIGS. 24 and 25, the electronic device 2701 ofFIGS. 27-31, the electronic device 3201 of FIGS. 32-37, the electronicdevice 3801 of FIGS. 38-41, the electronic device 4901 of FIGS. 49-55,or any combination thereof.

The method 5800 includes receiving first acceleration data from a firstsensor coupled to a first portion of an electronic device, at 5802. Forexample, the orientation module 4994 may receive the first accelerationdata 4982 from the first accelerometer 4922 coupled to the first panel4902 of the electronic device 4901 of FIG. 49. The method furtherincludes receiving second acceleration data from a second sensor coupledto a second portion of the electronic device, where a position of thefirst portion is movable with respect to a position of the secondportion, at 5804. For example, the orientation module 4994 may receivethe second acceleration data 4984 from the second accelerometer 4924coupled to the second panel 4904 of the electronic device 4901 of FIG.49, where the position of the first panel 4902 is movable with respectto the position of the second panel 4904. The method further includesreceiving third acceleration data from a third sensor coupled to a thirdportion of the electronic device, the third portion including a thirdpanel rotatably coupled to the second panel, where the configuration isdetermined further based on the third acceleration data, at 5806. Forexample, the orientation module 4994 may receive the third accelerationdata 4986 from the third accelerometer 4926 coupled to the third panel4906 of the electronic device 4901 of FIG. 49, where the third panel4906 is rotatably coupled to the second panel 4904. If the firstacceleration data 4982 indicates a direction of gravity in the negativeZ1 direction at the first accelerometer 4922, the second accelerationdata 4984 indicates a direction of gravity in the positive Z2 directionat the second accelerometer 4924, and the third acceleration data 4986indicates a direction of gravity in the negative Z3 direction at thethird accelerometer 4926, the orientation module 4994 may determine thatthe device 4901 of FIG. 49 may be in the fully folded configuration 5100of FIG. 51. Similarly, if the first acceleration data 4982 indicates adirection of gravity in the negative Z1 direction at the firstaccelerometer 4922, the second acceleration data 4984 indicates adirection of gravity in the negative Z2 direction at the secondaccelerometer 4924, and the third acceleration data 4986 indicates adirection of gravity in the negative Z3 direction at the thirdaccelerometer 4926, the orientation module 4994 may determine that thedevice 4901 of FIG. 49 may be in the fully extended configuration 5000of FIG. 50.

The method further includes determining a first orientation of the firstportion based on a first gravitational component of the firstacceleration data, at 5808. For example, the first acceleration data4982 may indicate the acceleration 5432 of FIG. 54 due to gravity in thedirection of gravity, with a gravitational component 5440 in thenegative Z1 direction and a gravitational component 5442 in the negativeX1 direction, according to the first accelerometer 4922. The magnitudeof the gravitational component 5440 is equal to the product of the sineof the angle between the acceleration 5432 and the gravitationalcomponent 5442 with the magnitude of the acceleration 5432. For example,if the angle is thirty degrees, then the magnitude of the gravitationalcomponent 5440 is one half the magnitude of the acceleration 5432. Theorientation of the first panel 4902 may be that shown in the travelclock configuration 5400 of FIG. 54.

The method further includes determining a second orientation of thesecond portion based on a second gravitational component of the secondacceleration data, at 5810. For example, the second acceleration data4984 may indicate the acceleration 5434 of FIG. 54 due to gravity in thedirection of gravity, with a gravitational component 5450 in thenegative Z2 direction and a gravitational component 5452 in the positiveX2 direction, according to the second accelerometer 4924. The magnitudeof the gravitational component 5450 is equal to the product of the sineof the angle between the acceleration 5434 and the gravitationalcomponent 5452 with the magnitude of the acceleration 5434. For example,if the angle is thirty degrees, then the magnitude of the gravitationalcomponent 5450 is one half the magnitude of the acceleration 5434. Theorientation of the second panel 4904 may be that shown in the travelclock configuration 5400 of FIG. 54.

The method further includes determining a third orientation of the thirdportion based on a third gravitational component of the thirdacceleration data, at 5812. For example, the third acceleration data4986 may indicate the acceleration 5236 of FIG. 52 due to gravity in thedirection of gravity, with a gravitational component 5240 in thenegative Z3 direction and a gravitational component 5242 in the negativeX3 direction, according to the third accelerometer 4926. The magnitudeof the gravitational component 5240 is equal to the product of the sineof the angle between the acceleration 5236 and the gravitationalcomponent 5242 with the magnitude of the acceleration 5236. For example,if the angle is thirty degrees, then the magnitude of the gravitationalcomponent 5240 is one half the magnitude of the acceleration 5236. Theorientation of the third panel 4906 may be that shown in the thumbingconfiguration 5200 of FIG. 52. The method further includes determining aconfiguration of the electronic device based on the first accelerationdata, the second acceleration data, and the third acceleration data, at5814. For example, the configuration of the electronic device 4901 ofFIG. 49 may be determined according to the method 5600 of FIG. 56 basedon the first acceleration data 4982, the second acceleration data 4984,and the third acceleration data 4986.

Referring to FIG. 59, a particular illustrative embodiment of anelectronic device having folding configuration/tilt sensor, such asaccelerometers, is depicted and generally designated 5900. In aparticular embodiment, the electronic device 5900 is the electronicdevice 101 of FIGS. 1-7, the electronic device 800 of FIG. 8, athree-panel version of the electronic device 900 of FIGS. 9-14, theelectronic device 1501 of FIGS. 15-17, the electronic device 1801 ofFIGS. 18-20, the electronic device 2100 of FIG. 21, the electronicdevice 2201 of FIGS. 22-23, the electronic device 2401 of FIGS. 24 and25, the electronic device 2701 of FIGS. 27-31, the electronic device3201 of FIGS. 32-37, the electronic device 3801 of FIGS. 38-41, theelectronic device 4901 of FIGS. 49-55, or any combination thereof. In aparticular embodiment, the electronic device 5900 is configured tooperate according to the method 2600 of FIG. 26, the method 4200 of FIG.42, the method 4300 of FIG. 43, the method 4400 of FIG. 44, the method4500 of FIG. 45, the method 4600 of FIG. 46, the method 4700 of FIG. 47,the method 4800 of FIG. 48, the method 5600 of FIG. 56, the method 5700of FIG. 57, the method 5800 of FIG. 58, or any combination thereof.

The device 5900 includes a main board 5901 coupled to a first displayboard 5903 and to second display board 5905 via set of connections 5990across a hinge (not shown). Each of the boards 5901, 5903, and 5905 maybe in separate panels of a multi-panel hinged device, such as theelectronic device 101 of FIGS. 1-7.

The main board 5901 includes a display 5902, a processor 5910 coupled toa memory 5932, an orientation module 5970 coupled to one or more foldingconfiguration/tilt sensors 5972, a display controller 5962, atouchscreen controller 5952, a wireless controller 5940, a short rangewireless interface 5946, a coder/decoder (CODEC) 5934, and a powermanagement integrated circuit (PMIC) 5980. The first display board 5903includes a display 5904 coupled to a display controller 5964, atouchscreen controller 5954, and one or more folding configuration/tiltsensors 5974. The second display board 5905 includes a display 5906coupled to a display controller 5966, a touchscreen controller 5956, andone or more folding configuration/tilt sensors 5976. The first displayboard 5903 is coupled to the main board 5901 via a first communicationpath, such as a first high-speed serial link 5992. The second displayboard 5905 is coupled to the main board 5901 via a second communicationpath, such as a second high-speed serial link 5994. The first displayboard 5903 and the second display board 5905 each have a battery 5984and 5986 that is coupled to the PMIC 5980 via a power line 5996, whichmay be able to conduct at least 1.5 amps (A) between the PMIC 5980 andthe batteries 5984 and 5986. In a particular embodiment, a camera 5920and a power input 5982 are also coupled to the main board 5901.

The processor 5910 may include one or more processing devices, such asone or more ARM-type processors, one or more digital signal processors(DSPs), other processors, or any combination thereof. The processor 5910can access one or more computer readable media, such as therepresentative memory 5932. The memory 5932 stores data (not shown) andprocessor executable instructions such as software 5933. Generally, thesoftware 5933 includes processor executable instructions that areexecutable by the processor 5910, and may include application software,operating system software, other types of program instructions, or anycombination thereof. Although the memory 5932 is depicted as external tothe processor 5910, in other embodiments the memory 5932 may be internalto the processor 5910 such as at a cache, at one or more registers orregister files, at other storage devices at the processor 5910, or anycombination thereof.

The processor 5910 is also coupled to folding configuration sensors,such as the folding configuration and tilt sensors 5972, 5974, and 5976at the main board 5901, the first display panel 5903, and the seconddisplay panel 5905, respectively. In an illustrative example, the device5900 may be the electronic device 4901 of FIG. 49, and the sensors 5972,5974, and 5976 may adapted to detect a folding configuration of thedevice 5900 as one or more of the fully folded configuration illustratedin FIG. 51, the thumbing configuration illustrated in FIG. 52, thetravel clock configuration illustrated in FIG. 54, the fully extendedconfiguration illustrated in FIG. 50, the dual-screen configurationillustrated in FIG. 55, or the video conferencing configurationillustrated in FIG. 53. In a particular embodiment, the sensors 5972,5974, and 5976 include accelerometers, such as the first accelerometer4922, the second accelerometer 4924, and the third accelerometer 4986 ofFIG. 49. The orientation module 5970 can be the orientation module 4994of FIG. 49 and can implement the method 5600 of FIG. 56, the method 5700of FIG. 57, the method 5800 of FIG. 58, or any combination thereof. Theorientation module 5970 can be hardware, the software 5933 beingexecuted by the processor 5910, or any combination thereof.

The display controllers 5962, 5964, and 5966 are configured to controlthe displays 5902, 5904, and 5906. In a particular embodiment, thedisplays 5902, 5904, and 5906 may correspond to the display surfaces102, 104, and 106 illustrated in FIGS. 1-7. The display controllers5962, 5964, and 5966 may be configured to be responsive to the processor5910 to provide graphical data to display at the displays 5902, 5904,and 5906 according to a configuration of the device 5900. For example,when the device 5900 is in a fully folded configuration, the displaycontrollers 5962, 5964, and 5966 may control the first display 5902 todisplay a graphical user interface and may power down or not use theother displays 5904 and 5906. As another example, when the device 5900is in a fully extended configuration, the display controllers 5962,5964, and 5966 may control the displays 5902, 5904, and 5906 to eachdisplay a respective portion of an image to operate as a singleeffective screen spanning all three displays 5902, 5904, and 5906.

In a particular embodiment, each of the displays 5902, 5904, and 5906 isresponsive to user input via a respective touchscreen that is coupled toa touchscreen controller 5952, 5954, or 5956, respectively. Thetouchscreen controllers 5952, 5954, and 5956 are configured to receivesignals from the displays 5902, 5904, and 5906 representing a user inputand to provide data to the processor 5910 indicating the user input. Forexample, the processor 5910 may be responsive to a user input indicatinga double-tap at an application icon on the first display 5902 and maylaunch an application and display an application window at one or moreof the displays 5902, 5904, or 5906 in response to the user input.

In a particular embodiment, by having each display controller 5962,5964, and 5966 and each touchscreen controller 5952, 5954, and 5956 witha corresponding display 5902, 5904, and 5906, an amount of datacommunicated between the panels may be reduced compared to otherembodiments having a controller and a corresponding display on separatepanels. However, in other embodiments, two or more of the displaycontrollers 5962, 5964, or 5966, or touchscreen controllers 5953, 5954,or 5956, may be combined, such as into a single controller that controlsall three displays 5902, 5904, and 5906. Additionally, although threedisplays 5902, 5904, and 5906 are illustrated, in other embodiments thedevice 5900 may include more or less than three displays.

The high-speed serial links 5992 and 5994 may be high speed bi-directionserial links. For example the links 5992 and 5994 may be Mobile DisplayDigital Interface (MDDI)-type links. Touchscreen data and sensor datamay be embedded in the serial stream to return to the processor 5910from the panels 5903 and 5905, so that only four differential pairs maybe used for signaling across the respective hinges between the panels5901, 5903, and 5905.

In a particular embodiment, the sensors 5972, 5974, and 5976 may beadapted detect a folding configuration of the device 5900 based on inputreceived at one or more sensors. For example, one or more of the sensors5972, 5974, and 5976 may include or receive input from one or moreaccelerometers, inclinometers, hinge detectors, other detectors, or anycombination thereof. The sensors 5972, 5974, and 5976 may provideinformation to the orientation module 5970 and to the processor 5910indicating a detected folding configuration of the device 5900. Thesensors 5972, 5974, and 5976 may be responsive to a relative foldingposition, such as by detecting an angle of rotation of a display panelrelative to a neighboring display panel of the device 5900. The sensors5972, 5974, and 5976 may also be responsive to one or more other sensorssuch as one or more accelerometers or inclinometers coupled to one ormore display panels of the device 5900.

As illustrated in FIG. 59, a coder/decoder (CODEC) 5934 can also becoupled to the processor 5910. A speaker 5922 and a microphone 5924 canbe coupled to the CODEC 5934. FIG. 59 also indicates that a wirelesscontroller 5940 can be coupled to the processor 5910 and to a wirelessantenna 5942, and can enable the device 5900 to communicate via awireless network such as a wide area network (WAN). The processor 5910may be responsive to the wireless controller 5940 to display callindicia, such as a caller identification or a caller number, at one ormore of the displays 5902, 5904, and 5906 when the device 5900 receivesan incoming call. The processor 5910 may determine a size, position, andorientation, as well as a particular display 5902, 5904, and 5906, todisplay the call indicia at least partially based on the foldingconfiguration of the device 5900 that is determined based on input fromthe sensors 5972, 5974, and 5976. For example the call indicia may bedisplayed as a pop-up window or text over one or more other applicationshaving a size, location, and orientation based on the foldingconfiguration.

In a particular embodiment, the device 5900 is configured to be operablefor wireless telephonic communications in all folding configurations. Ina particular embodiment, the processor 5910 is coupled to a short-rangewireless interface 5946 that may be coupled to a headset 5950 via anantenna 5948. The short-range wireless interface 5946 may be wirelesslycoupled to the headset 5950, such as a device including an earpiece anda microphone, via an ad-hoc wireless network, such as a Bluetoothnetwork. The processor 5910 may implement logic to determine whether todisplay the call indicia or to alert the headset 5950 in response to anincoming call. For example, the processor 5910 may automatically alertthe headset 5950 when the device 5900 is in a fully expandedconfiguration and a multimedia file or streaming media is displayedacross all displays 5902, 5904, and 5906, and may display the callindicia otherwise.

In a particular embodiment, one or more components of FIG. 59 may belocated proximate to or within one or more of the device panels. Forexample, the processor 5910 may be located within the center panel andthe outer panels may each store a battery 5984 and 5986. In a particularembodiment, the panels may be weighted in a manner to enable the deviceto remain upright in a thumbing configuration.

As discussed previously with reference to FIG. 21, when a multi-panelelectronic device displays an image or video across multiple displaysurfaces, a portion of the image or video may be missing due to thepresence of a gap between the display surfaces. For example, referringto FIGS. 39-41, portions of the displayed webpage may be missing due togaps between display surfaces of the electronic device 3801. To avoidthis appearance of missing portions, the image or video may be “split”along the edge of the display surfaces. For example, the applicationicon 3206 of FIG. 33 and the application window 3516 of FIG. 36 may be“split.” However, when such “splitting” occurs, the geometry of theapplication icon 3206 of FIG. 33 and the application window 3516 of FIG.36 may appear distorted. That is, the application icon 3206 of FIG. 33and the application window 3516 of FIG. 36 may appear elongated due tothe presence of the gap 3414 of FIGS. 33 and 36.

Referring to FIG. 60, a particular illustrative embodiment of anelectronic device 6001 is depicted and generally designated 6000. Theelectronic device 6001 includes a first display surface 6002 and asecond display surface 6004 separated by a gap 6006. The electronicdevice 6001 also includes a motion sensor 6008. In a particularembodiment, the electronic device 6001 is a part of the electronicdevice 101 of FIGS. 1-7, the electronic device 800 of FIG. 8, theelectronic device 900 of FIGS. 9-14, the electronic device 1501 of FIGS.15-17, the electronic device 1801 of FIGS. 18-20, the electronic device2100 of FIG. 21, the electronic device 2201 of FIGS. 22-23, theelectronic device 2401 of FIGS. 24 and 25, the electronic device 2701 ofFIGS. 27-31, the electronic device 3201 of FIGS. 32-37, the electronicdevice 3801 of FIGS. 38-41, the electronic device 4901 of FIGS. 49-55,or any combination thereof. In a particular embodiment, the electronicdevice 6001 is configured to operate according to the method 2600 ofFIG. 26, the method 4200 of FIG. 42, the method 4300 of FIG. 43, themethod 4400 of FIG. 44, the method 4500 of FIG. 45, the method 4600 ofFIG. 46, the method 4700 of FIG. 47, the method 4800 of FIG. 48, themethod 5600 of FIG. 56, the method 5700 of FIG. 57, the method 5800 ofFIG. 58, or any combination thereof.

Occasionally, the electronic device 6001 may display an image that islarger than either of the display surfaces 6002 and 6004. For example,in the particular embodiment illustrated in FIG. 60, the electronicdevice 6001 displays the well-known pangram “The quick brown fox jumpsover the lazy dog.” A first portion “ps over the lazy dog.” of the imageis displayed at the first display surface 6002 and a second portion ofthe image “The quick brown fox j” is displayed at the second displaysurface 6004. Due to the presence of the gap 6006, a third portion “um”between the first portion and the second portion is not displayed.

The motion sensor 6008 may be configured to detect a movement of theelectronic device 6001. For example, the motion sensor 6008 may beconfigured to detect a translation motion, a rotational motion, or atilting motion of the electronic device 6001 as described with referenceto the preceding figures. In an illustrative embodiment, the motionsensor 6008 includes an accelerometer, an inclinometer, or anycombination thereof. In a particular embodiment, the motion sensor 6008functions as described with reference to the sensors 3810 and 3820 ofFIG. 38, the accelerometers 4922-4926 of FIGS. 49-55, or any combinationthereof. In response to the motion sensor 6008 detecting a movement ofthe electronic device 6001, the electronic device 6001 may alter theimage portions displayed at the first display surface 6002 and thesecond display surface 6004, as described herein with reference to FIGS.61-69. It should be noted that although the motion sensor 6008 isdepicted as coupled to the first display surface 6002, the motion sensormay instead be coupled to the second display surface 6004 or may belocated in the gap 6006.

Referring to FIG. 61, an illustrative embodiment of displaying an imageat the electronic device 6001 is depicted and generally designated 6100.As described with reference to FIG. 60, a third portion “um” of theimage is not displayed due to the gap 6006.

When the motion sensor 6008 of FIG. 60 detects a movement of theelectronic device 6001, the electronic device 6001 may display the thirdportion “mp” of the image, such as at the first display surface 6002 orat the second display surface 6004. In a particular embodiment, thethird portion of the image is displayed for a brief period of time(e.g., one or two seconds). After the brief period of time elapses, theimage is once again displayed in the original state (i.e., the firstportion of the image is displayed at the first display surface 6002, thesecond portion of the image is displayed at the second display surface6004, and the third portion of the image is not displayed).Alternatively, the third portion of the image may be displayed until themotion sensor 6008 detects a second movement of the electronic device6001.

Thus, the electronic device 6000 may be “shaken” or “tilted” by a userin order to see the third portion of the image not displayed due to thegap 6006. The third portion of the image may be displayed in thedirection of the movement of the electronic device 6001 or in thedirection opposite the movement of the electronic device 6001.

Referring to FIG. 62, an illustrative embodiment of displaying an imageat the electronic device 6001 is depicted and generally designated 6200.In the particular embodiment illustrated in FIG. 62, the image moves inthe same direction as a movement of the electronic device 6001. Thus,users of the electronic device 6001 may be made to feel as if they are“pushing” the image in the direction they shake the electronic device6001. For example, the third portion “um” of the image may be displayedat the second display surface 6004 in response to a user of theelectronic device 6001 moving the electronic device 6001 so as totranslate the electronic device 6001 to the left substantially withinthe plane of the first display surface 6002.

Similarly, users of the electronic device 6001 may be made to feel as ifthey are “sliding” the image in the direction they tilt the electronicdevice 6001. For example, the third portion “um” of the image may bedisplayed at the second display surface 6004 in response to a user ofthe electronic device 6001 tilting the right edge of the electronicdevice upwards in a direction substantially normal to the plane of thefirst display surface 6002, such that the third portion “um” “slidesdown” onto the second display surface 6004.

It will be noted that in order to preserve the geometry of the image,when the third portion “um” of the image is displayed at the seconddisplay surface 6004, a hidden portion “Th” of the second portion of theimage is no longer displayed at the second display surface 6004. In aparticular embodiment, the third portion “um” and the hidden portion“Th” each have a width that is substantially equal to the width of thegap 6006.

Referring to FIG. 63, an illustrative embodiment of displaying an imageat the electronic device 6001 is depicted and generally designated 6300.In the particular embodiment illustrated in FIG. 63, the image moves ina direction opposite to a movement of the electronic device 6001. Thus,users of the electronic device 6001 be may perceive that if theelectronic device 6001 functions as a moveable “window” to a fixedimage.

It will be noted that in order to preserve the geometry of the image,when the third portion “um” of the image is displayed at the firstdisplay surface 6002, a hidden portion “g.” of the first portion of theimage is no longer displayed at the first display surface 6002. In aparticular embodiment, the third portion “um” and the hidden portion“g.” each have a width that is substantially equal to the width of thegap 6006.

Referring to FIG. 64, an illustrative embodiment of displaying an imageat an electronic device 6401 is depicted and generally designated 6400.In a particular embodiment, the electronic device 6401 is a three-panelversion of the electronic device 6001 of FIG. 60. The electronic device6401 includes a first display surface 6402 and a second display surface6403 separated by a gap 6404. The electronic device 6401 also includes athird display surface 6405 separated from the second display surface6403 by a second gap 6406. The electronic device 6401 also includes amotion sensor (not shown) similar to the motion sensor 6008 of FIG. 60.

In the particular embodiment illustrated in FIG. 64, the electronicdevice 6401 displays an image of the alphabet“ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ.” For purposes of illustration, the displaysurfaces 6402, 6403, and 6405 are depicted to be substantially equal insize and capable of displaying eight letters of the alphabet. The firstdisplay surface 6402 displays a first portion of the image “ABCDEFGH.”The second display surface 6403 displays a second portion of the image“JKLMNOPQ.” A third portion of the image “I” is not displayed due to thegap 6404. The third display surface 6405 displays a fourth portion ofthe image “STUVWXYZ.” A fifth portion of the image “R” is not displayeddue to the second gap 6406.

When the motion sensor of the electronic device 6401 detects a movementof the electronic device 6401, the electronic device may display thethird portion “I” and fifth portion “R” of the image. In a particularembodiment, the third portion and the fifth portion are displayed for abrief period of time (e.g., one or two seconds). Thus, the electronicdevice 6401 may be “shaken” or “tilted” by a user in order to seeportions of the image not displayed due to the gaps 6404 and 6406.

Referring to FIG. 65, an illustrative embodiment of displaying an imageat the electronic device 6401 is depicted and generally designated 6500.In the particular embodiment illustrated in FIG. 65, the image moves inthe same direction as a movement of the electronic device 6401. Thethird portion “I” is displayed at the first display surface 6401proximate to the gap 6404 and the fifth portion “R” is displayed at thesecond display surface 6403 proximate to the second gap 6406. Thus,users of the electronic device 6401 may perceive that they are “pushing”the image in the direction they shake, or quickly move the electronicdevice 6401. Similarly, users of the electronic device 6401 may,alternatively, perceive that they are “sliding” the image in thedirection they tilt the electronic device 6401.

Referring to FIG. 66, an illustrative embodiment of displaying an imageat the electronic device 6401 is depicted and generally designated 6600.In the particular embodiment illustrated in FIG. 66, the image moves ina direction opposite to a movement of the electronic device 6401. Thethird portion “I” is displayed at the second display surface 6403proximate to the gap 6404 and the fifth portion “R” is displayed at thethird display surface 6405 proximate to the second gap 6406. Thus, usersof the electronic device 6401 perceive that the electronic device 6401functions as a moveable “window” to a fixed image.

It should be noted that although the embodiments illustrated in FIGS.60-66 depict images that include text, images may also includenon-textual content such as geometric shapes, digital illustrations, andphotographs.

FIG. 67 is a flowchart of a first illustrative embodiment of a method6700 of displaying an image at an electronic device. In a particularembodiment, the method 6700 may be performed by the electronic device101 of FIGS. 1-7, the electronic device 800 of FIG. 8, the electronicdevice 900 of FIGS. 9-14, the electronic device 1501 of FIGS. 15-17, theelectronic device 1801 of FIGS. 18-20, the electronic device 2100 ofFIG. 21, the electronic device 2201 of FIGS. 22-23, the electronicdevice 2401 of FIGS. 24 and 25, the electronic device 2701 of FIGS.27-31, the electronic device 3201 of FIGS. 32-37, the electronic device3801 of FIGS. 38-41, the electronic device 4901 of FIGS. 49-55, theelectronic device 6001 of FIGS. 60-63, the electronic device 6401 ofFIGS. 64-66, or any combination thereof.

The method 6700 includes displaying an image at an electronic devicethat includes a first display surface and a second display surface, at6702. The first display surface is separated from the second displaysurface by a gap. A first portion of the image is displayed at the firstdisplay surface, a second portion of the image is displayed at thesecond display surface, and a third portion of the image between thefirst portion and the second portion is not displayed. For example, inFIG. 60, the first portion “ps over the lazy dog.” may be displayed atthe first display surface 6002, the second portion “The quick brown foxj” may be displayed at the second display surface 6004, and the thirdportion “um” may not be displayed.

The method 6700 also includes detecting a movement of the electronicdevice, at 6704. For example, in FIG. 60, the motion sensor 6008 maydetect a movement of the electronic device 6001.

The method 6700 further includes, in response to detecting the movement,displaying the third portion of the image at the second display surface,at 6706. For example, the third portion “um” of the image may bedisplayed at the second display surface 6004, as depicted in FIG. 62.

FIG. 68 is a flowchart of a second illustrative embodiment of a method6800 of displaying an image at an electronic device. In a particularembodiment, the method 6800 may be performed by the electronic device101 of FIGS. 1-7, the electronic device 800 of FIG. 8, the electronicdevice 900 of FIGS. 9-14, the electronic device 1501 of FIGS. 15-17, theelectronic device 1801 of FIGS. 18-20, the electronic device 2100 ofFIG. 21, the electronic device 2201 of FIGS. 22-23, the electronicdevice 2401 of FIGS. 24 and 25, the electronic device 2701 of FIGS.27-31, the electronic device 3201 of FIGS. 32-37, the electronic device3801 of FIGS. 38-41, the electronic device 4901 of FIGS. 49-55, theelectronic device 6001 of FIGS. 60-63, the electronic device 6401 ofFIGS. 64-66, or any combination thereof.

The method 6800 includes displaying an image in an original state at anelectronic device that includes a first display surface and a seconddisplay surface, at 6802. The first display surface is separated fromthe second display surface by a gap. Displaying the image in theoriginal state includes displaying a first portion of the image at thefirst display surface, displaying a second portion of the image at thesecond display surface, and not displaying a third portion of the imagebetween the first portion and the second portion, where the thirdportion has a width substantially equal to the width of the gap. Forexample, in FIG. 60, the first portion “ps over the lazy dog.” may bedisplayed at the first display surface 6002, the second portion “Thequick brown fox j” may be displayed at the second display surface 6004,and the third portion “um” may not be displayed.

The method 6800 also includes detecting a movement of the electronicdevice at a motion sensor of the electronic device, at 6804. Themovement may be a shaking motion that translates the electronic devicein a direction substantially within a plane of the first display surfaceor a tilting motion of at least one edge of the electronic device in adirection substantially normal to the plane of the first displaysurface. The motion sensor may be an accelerometer, an inclinometer, orany combination thereof. For example, in FIG. 60, the motion sensor 6008may detect a movement (e.g. translation or tilting motion) of theelectronic device 6001.

The method 6800 further includes, in response to detecting the movement,displaying the image in a modified state, at 6806. Displaying the imagein the modified state includes displaying the third portion of the imageat the second display surface and not displaying a hidden portion of thesecond portion while the third portion is displayed. For example, thehidden portion of the second portion “Th” may not be displayed while thethird portion “um” of the image is displayed at the second displaysurface 6004, as depicted in FIG. 62.

The method 6800 includes displaying the image in the original stateafter a time period following detecting the movement, at 6808. Forexample, after a time period following the movement, the image may bedisplayed in the original state, as depicted in FIG. 60. In anotherembodiment, a second movement of the electronic device my trigger thechange to the original state. For example, if the electronic devicedisplayed the image in the modified state in response to detecting ashaking motion to the left, the electronic device may display the imagein the original state in response to detecting a shaking motion to theright.

FIG. 69 is a flowchart of a third illustrative embodiment of a method6900 of displaying an image at an electronic device. In a particularembodiment, the method 6900 may be performed by three-panel version ofthe electronic device 101 of FIGS. 1-7, the electronic device 800 ofFIG. 8, the electronic device 900 of FIGS. 9-14, the electronic device1501 of FIGS. 15-17, the electronic device 1801 of FIGS. 18-20, theelectronic device 2100 of FIG. 21, the electronic device 2201 of FIGS.22-23, the electronic device 2401 of FIGS. 24 and 25, the electronicdevice 2701 of FIGS. 27-31, the electronic device 3201 of FIGS. 32-37,the electronic device 3801 of FIGS. 38-41, the electronic device 4901 ofFIGS. 49-55, the electronic device 6001 of the FIGS. 60-63, theelectronic device 6401 of FIGS. 64-66, or any combination thereof.

The method 6900 includes displaying an image in an original state at anelectronic device that includes a first display surface, a seconddisplay surface, and a third display surface, at 6902. The first displaysurface is separated from the second display surface by a gap and thethird display surface is separated from the second display surface by asecond gap. Displaying the image in the original state includesdisplaying a first portion of the image at the first display surface,displaying a second portion of the image at the second display surface,not displaying a third portion of the image between the first portionand the second portion, displaying a fourth portion of the image at thethird display surface, and not displaying a fifth portion of the imagebetween the second portion and the fourth portion. For example,referring to FIG. 64, the first portion “ABCDEFGH” may be displayed atthe first display surface 6402, the second portion “JKLMNOPQ” may bedisplayed at the second display surface 6404, the third portion “I” maynot be displayed, the fourth portion “STUVWXYZ” may be displayed at thethird display surface 6405, and the fifth portion “R” may not bedisplayed.

The method 6900 also includes detecting a movement of the electronicdevice, at 6904. For example, referring to FIG. 64, a movement of theelectronic device 6401 may be detected.

The method 6900 further includes, in response to detecting the movement,displaying the image in a modified state, at 6906. Displaying the imagein the modified state may include displaying the third portion of theimage at the second display surface and displaying the fifth portion ofthe image at the third display surface. For example, the third portion“I” may be displayed at the second display surface 6403 and the fifthportion “R” may be displayed at the third display surface 6405, asdepicted in FIG. 66.

The method 6900 further includes, after a time period followingdetecting the movement, displaying the image in the original state, at6908. For example, after a time period following the movement, the imagemay be displayed in the original state, as depicted in FIG. 64.Alternatively, a second movement of the electronic device may triggerthe change to the original state. For example, if the electronic devicedisplayed the image in the modified state in response to detecting ashaking motion to the left, the electronic device may display the imagein the original state in response to detecting a shaking motion to theright.

It will thus be appreciated that a user of a multi-display device may beable to control (e.g., via motion) when the multi-display device“splits” an image along a gap (thereby displaying the entire image in adistorted geometry) and when the multi-display device “hides” a portionof the image corresponding to the gap (thereby preserving the imagegeometry but not displaying the entire image). Thus, the user may simplymake a quick motion to see text and shapes of the image that wouldotherwise not be displayed due to the gap. Furthermore, contentproviders may distribute such “oversized” content to users withouthaving to worry about making sure that important information is notlocated in “gap regions” that may be hidden by multi-display devices.

Those of skill would further appreciate that the various illustrativelogical blocks, configurations, modules, circuits, and algorithm stepsdescribed in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may beimplemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or combinationsof both. Various illustrative components, blocks, configurations,modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally interms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implementedas hardware or software depends upon the particular application anddesign constraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled artisans mayimplement the described functionality in varying ways for eachparticular application, but such implementation decisions should not beinterpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the presentdisclosure.

The steps of a method or algorithm described in connection with theembodiments disclosed herein may be embodied directly in hardware, in asoftware module executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two.A software module may reside in a tangible storage medium such as arandom access memory (RAM), flash memory, read-only memory (ROM),programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-onlymemory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory(EEPROM), registers, hard disk, a removable disk, a compact discread-only memory (CD-ROM), or any other form of tangible storage mediumknown in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to theprocessor such that the processor can read information from, and writeinformation to, the storage medium. In the alternative, the storagemedium may be integral to the processor. The processor and the storagemedium may reside in an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).The ASIC may reside in a computing device or a user terminal. In thealternative, the processor and the storage medium may reside as discretecomponents in a computing device or user terminal.

The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is provided toenable any person skilled in the art to make or use the disclosedembodiments. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readilyapparent to those skilled in the art, and the principles defined hereinmay be applied to other embodiments without departing from the scope ofthe disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is not intended to belimited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widestscope possible consistent with the principles and novel features asdefined by the following claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An electronic device comprising: a firstpanel having a first display surface and a first back surface; a secondpanel having a second display surface and a second back surface; a thirdpanel having a third display surface and a third back surface, whereinthe first panel is rotatably coupled to a first edge of the second paneland wherein the third panel is rotatably coupled to a second edge of thesecond panel; a folding configuration sensor configured to detect aconfiguration of the first panel, the second panel, and the third panel;a direction sensor to detect a change in a direction of one of the firstpanel, the second panel, and the third panel relative to a direction ofa gravitational pull; and a processor configured to execute at least onesoftware application having a graphical user interface, the processorresponsive to the folding configuration sensor and the direction sensorto automatically modify the graphical user interface based on thedetected configuration and change in the direction of one of the firstpanel, the second panel, and the third panel relative to the directionof the gravitational pull.
 2. The electronic device of claim 1, whereinthe folding configuration sensor includes: a first sensor coupled to thefirst panel and configured to detect an orientation of the first panel;and a second sensor coupled to the third panel and configured to detectan orientation of the third panel.
 3. The electronic device of claim 2,wherein the first sensor is configured to detect a relative orientationof the first panel to the second panel.
 4. The electronic device ofclaim 3, wherein the first sensor is coupled to a hinge that is locatedbetween the first panel and the second panel.
 5. The electronic deviceof claim 2, wherein the first sensor is configured to detect a firstrelative orientation of the first panel to the second panel, wherein thesecond sensor is configured to detect a second relative orientation ofthe third panel to the second panel, and wherein the change in thedirection of one of the first panel, the second panel, and the thirdpanel detected by the direction sensor is a change in longitudinalrotation direction of one of the first panel, the second panel, and thethird panel relative to the direction of the gravitational pull.
 6. Amethod comprising: detecting a hardware configuration change from afirst configuration to a second configuration at an electronic device,the electronic device including at least a first panel having a firstdisplay surface, a second panel having a second display surface, and athird panel having a third display surface, wherein the first panel isrotatably coupled to the second panel along a first edge of the secondpanel, wherein the third panel is rotatably coupled to the second panelalong a second edge of the second panel, and wherein the hardwareconfiguration change includes a change in a relative orientation of atleast one of the first panel, the second panel, and the third panel;detecting a change in direction of one of the first panel, the secondpanel, and the third panel relative to a direction of a gravitationalpull; and automatically modifying a graphical user interface displayedat one or more of the first display surface, the second display surface,and the third display surface at least partially based on the secondconfiguration and the change in the direction of one of the first paneland the second panel relative to the direction of the gravitationalpull.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the first panel has a first backsurface opposite the first display surface, wherein the second panel hasa second back surface opposite the second display surface, and whereinthe third panel has a third back surface opposite the third displaysurface, wherein the second configuration includes a foldedconfiguration having the first back surface proximate to the second backsurface and the second display surface proximate to the third displaysurface.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the graphical user interfaceis automatically modified to generate a display at the first displaysurface and not to generate a display at the second display surface orat the third display surface.
 9. The method of claim 6, wherein thesecond configuration includes a fully extended configuration having thefirst panel substantially coplanar with the second panel and having thesecond panel substantially coplanar with the third panel, and whereinthe first display surface, the second display surface, and the thirddisplay surface form a substantially continuous display surfaceextending across the first panel, the second panel, and the third panel.10. The method of claim 9, wherein the graphical user interface isautomatically modified to expand a displayed graphical element acrossthe substantially continuous display surface.
 11. The method of claim 6,wherein in the second configuration, the first panel is substantiallycoplanar with the second panel to form a substantially continuoustwo-panel display surface, and wherein the third panel is positionedsuch that an angle formed by the second display surface and the thirddisplay surface is greater than ninety degrees and less than one hundredeighty degrees.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the angle isapproximately one hundred thirty five degrees.
 13. The method of claim11, wherein the graphical user interface is automatically modified todisplay a keyboard at the third display surface and to display otherinterface elements at the substantially continuous two-panel displaysurface.
 14. The method of claim 6, wherein the second configurationincludes the first panel and the second panel being positioned such thata first angle formed by the first display surface and the second displaysurface is less than one hundred and eighty degrees and greater thanzero degrees, and wherein a second angle formed by the second displaysurface and the third display surface is approximately one hundredthirty five degrees.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the graphicaluser interface is automatically modified to display a clock at thesecond display panel.
 16. The method of claim 6, wherein the secondconfiguration is a video conferencing configuration, wherein the firstpanel and the second panel are substantially coplanar, wherein the thirdpanel is folded onto the second panel such that the second displaysurface is proximate to the third display surface, and wherein a camerahoused within a back surface of the third panel has a field of view tocapture an image of a user of the device.
 17. The method of claim 16,wherein the graphical user interface is automatically modified todisplay video images at the first display surface, but not at the seconddisplay surface or the third display surface.
 18. An apparatuscomprising: means for detecting a hardware configuration change from afirst configuration to a second configuration at an electronic device,the electronic device including at least a first panel having a firstdisplay surface, a second panel having a second display surface, and athird panel having a third display surface, wherein the first panel isrotatably coupled to the second panel along a first edge of the secondpanel, wherein the third panel is rotatably coupled to the second panelalong a second edge of the second panel, and wherein the hardwareconfiguration change includes a change in a relative orientation of atleast one of the first panel, the second panel, and the third panel;means for detecting a change in a direction of one of the first panel,the second panel, and the third panel relative to a direction of agravitational pull; and means for automatically modifying a graphicaluser interface displayed at one or more of the first display surface, atthe second display surface, and the third display surface at leastpartially based on the second configuration and the change in thedirection of one of one of the first panel and the second panel relativeto the direction of the gravitational pull.
 19. The apparatus of claim18, wherein the means for detecting is coupled to a hinge that iscoupled between the first panel and the second panel.
 20. Anon-transitory computer readable medium storing computer executable codecomprising: code for detecting a hardware configuration change from afirst configuration to a second configuration at an electronic device,the electronic device including at least a first panel having a firstdisplay surface, a second panel having a second display surface, and athird panel having a third display surface, wherein the first panel isrotatably coupled to the second panel along a first edge of the secondpanel, wherein the third panel is rotatably coupled to the second panelalong a second edge of the second panel, and wherein the hardwareconfiguration change includes a change in a relative orientation of atleast one of the first panel, the second panel, and the third panel;code for detecting a change in direction of one of the first panel, thesecond panel, and the third panel relative to a direction of agravitational pull; and code for automatically modifying a graphicaluser interface displayed at one or more of the first display surface,the second display surface, and the third display surface at leastpartially based on the second configuration and the change in thedirection of one of the first panel and the second panel relative to thedirection of the gravitational pull.
 21. The computer readable medium ofclaim 20, further storing computer executable code comprising code forautomatically modifying the graphical user interface to generate adisplay at the first display surface and not to generate a display atthe second display surface.
 22. The computer readable medium of claim20, further storing computer executable code comprising code forautomatically modifying the graphical user interface to expand adisplayed graphical element across a substantially continuous displaysurface.
 23. The computer readable medium of claim 20, wherein thesecond configuration includes the first panel being substantiallycoplanar with the second panel to form a substantially continuoustwo-panel display surface, and wherein the second configuration furtherincludes a third panel positioned such that an angle formed by thesecond display surface and a third display surface of the third panel isgreater than ninety degrees and less than one hundred eighty degrees.24. The computer readable medium of claim 23, further storing computerexecutable code comprising code for automatically modifying thegraphical user interface to display a keyboard at the third displaysurface and to display other interface elements at the substantiallycontinuous two-panel display surface.
 25. The electronic device of claim1, wherein the processor is further configured to automatically modifythe graphical user interface by changing an operating mode of the atleast one software application.
 26. The electronic device of claim 25,wherein the processor is configured to change the operating mode of theat least one software application by changing between at least one of adesktop icon mode, an application mode, a clock mode, and a videoconferencing mode.
 27. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein thedirection sensor comprises an inclinometer further configured to detectan inclination of one of the first panel, the second panel, and thethird panel.
 28. The method of claim 6, wherein automatically modifyingthe graphical user interface comprises changing an operating mode of atleast one software application associated with the graphical userinterface.
 29. The method of claim 28, wherein changing the operatingmode of the at least one software application comprises changing betweenat least one of a desktop icon mode, an application mode, a clock mode,and a video conferencing mode.
 30. The method of claim 6, whereindetecting the change in direction comprises detecting an inclination ofone of the first panel and the second panel relative to a direction of agravitational pull.
 31. The electronic device of claim 26, wherein oneor more of the operating modes correspond to one or more configurationsof the first panel, the second panel, and the third panel, and whereinthe processor is configured to maintain the one or more operating modeswhen the first panel, the second panel, and the third panel aremaintained in the corresponding one or more configurations.
 32. Theelectronic device of claim 31, wherein the one or more configurations ofthe first panel, the second panel, and the third panel comprise a foldedconfiguration, an unfolded configuration, a thumbing configuration, avideo conferencing configuration, and a clock configuration.
 33. Themethod of claim 28, wherein one or more of the operating modescorrespond to one or more configurations of the first panel, the secondpanel, and the third panel and further comprising maintaining the one ormore operating modes when the first panel, the second panel, and thethird panel are maintained in the corresponding one or moreconfigurations.
 34. The method of claim 33, wherein the one or moreconfigurations of the first panel, the second panel, and the third panelcomprise a folded configuration, an unfolded configuration, a thumbingconfiguration, a video conferencing configuration, and a clockconfiguration.